The Billings Murders by Chuck Baldwin, July 17, 2009

Another example of how surveillance cameras do not provide security. There is no reason for the government to use them.. By now, most Americans are familiar with the horrific murder of a Pensacola, Florida, couple by the name of Byrd and Melanie Billings. They were the parents of 17 children, 13 of whom were adopted--most of whom had disabilities. This case hits home with me, because they lived in my hometown of Pensacola. I did not know them personally, but they were fairly well known around town. Byrd was a well-to-do businessman who owned a used car business and financial loan service. Byrd and Melanie were shot to death in their own home a week ago Thursday. So far, eight people have been arrested in the case: seven men and one woman. The seven men are each charged with two open counts of murder, and the woman is charged with accessory to murder after the fact. Law enforcement officials said yesterday that at least one more "person of interest" is being sought. The Billings murder case was broken open by the fact that their home was equipped with a surveillance system, which recorded the vehicle used to transport the murderers to the home and probably much of the criminal activity inside the house, although the sheriff's office has not released the video of what was recorded inside the house. The video of the van led police to the suspects. Our State Attorney, Bill Eddins, says that all of the perpetrators who actively took part in the shootings are in custody. At least five of the men were inside the house when the murders took place; and police said the killers were in and out of the house in four minutes. In a news conference yesterday, Escambia County Sheriff David Morgan and State Attorney Bill Eddins said they have the murder "weapon or weapons." They also said that the remaining "person of interest" was supposed to disable the surveillance system but did not do so, which is why the system was still operational when the crimes occurred. In addition, Morgan and Eddins said the motive was robbery, because a small safe was taken from the house, but that other motives could also apply to the killings. Federal agencies are also assisting with the Billings murders, including the FBI, BATFE, and DEA. To my way of thinking, this case smacks of much more than a robbery gone badly. There were at least eight, and maybe nine, people involved. Maybe more. The invasion and killings were perpetrated in less than four minutes, by multiple assailants, and with "military precision." The home invasion took place at approximately 7:30 p.m. local time. And at the time of the shooting, nine of the Billings children were in the home. I believe murder, not robbery, was the motive. Extraordinary planning and the number of personnel involved indicate to me that the Billings were executed, and that robbery was an afterthought--or was even intended to be a ruse to mislead law enforcement. The real reason behind the killings may never be known, of course. Regardless of the "why" and "how" of the killings, one thing is painfully obvious: a violent attack took place against a man and his wife inside their own home. And while the circumstances of the Billings case may be sensational, the simple fact that a couple was murdered inside their own home has become rather commonplace throughout the United States. Nationwide, home invasions are skyrocketing. Home is the one place where most of us feel safe and protected. Even those who have a keen sense of self-defense feel free to let their guard down at home. And, sadly, most people do not possess a keen sense of self-defense. Most people have the deluded opinion that law enforcement will protect them. But even law enforcement professionals will tell you it is not their job to protect citizens; it is their job to apprehend and bring those who have committed crimes to justice. In other words, after you are dead, the cops will try to catch the guys who killed you. It is time that people wake up to the fact that the responsibility of self-defense rests with each individual citizen. We are all vulnerable to attack--even in our homes! For this reason, our federal Constitution and most (if not all) State constitutions recognize the Natural Law right of people to keep and bear arms. Over the past 40-plus years, however, miscreants in Washington, D.C., and in our State capitols have been whittling away at the right of the people to keep and bear arms. Lawful gun dealers are being harangued and harassed out of existence by the BATFE. Law enforcement agencies and State prosecutors often side with criminals when they are shot in self-defense by intended victims (especially in the Northeast). The media often characterizes lawful gun owners as "gun nuts" or "militia members" to try to create the impression that they are "dangerous" or "extremist." Public education--especially higher education--is often a willing participant in helping to demonize gun owners. Even Hollywood often uses its influence to sway public opinion against gun owners. All this, coupled with a natural lazy tendency of urban living, equates to a careless and defenseless society: something both would-be tyrants in government and street criminals love. Fortunately, America's founders were wiser than most of today's generation. They understood the relationship between the citizen's right (and determination) to keep and bear arms and his or her safety and security. For example, Thomas Jefferson said, "No free man shall ever be debarred the use of arms." He also said, "Laws that forbid the carrying of arms . . . disarm only those who are neither inclined nor determined to commit crimes . . . Such laws make things worse for the assaulted and better for the assailants; they serve rather to encourage than to prevent homicides, for an unarmed man may be attacked with greater confidence than an armed man." Likewise, Thomas Paine said, "[A]rms, like laws, discourage and keep the invader and plunderer in awe, and preserve order in the world as well as property . . . Horrid mischief would ensue were one-half the world deprived of the use of them; for while avarice and ambition have a place in the heart of man, the weak will become prey to the strong. The history of every age and nation establishes these truths, and facts need but little arguments when they prove themselves." The Billings double murder is the latest example of just how vulnerable we all are to the violent tendencies of evil people. For this reason (and more), every American should (1) resist any and all attempts by government to curtail or restrict our legal right to keep and bear arms, and (2) purchase, practice with, and always keep our own personal firearms handy. Furthermore, we should always live in a heightened "state of alert" (even in our own homes), because both our lives and our liberty may depend on it.

Hotels Hit in Jakarta Blast

How about a "who cares?" American companies operating overseas, providing jobs for people who hate the United States, avoiding taxes in the United States while paying taxes for people who hate us. Being attacked by those same people. Americans staying in such establishments. Who cares? I do not.

Be Prepared

When was the last time you saw an eleven-year-old-child speak at their father's funeral? Did you notice when the girl began to speak the microphone needed adjusting. See all those hands jump into action? Not wanting to be upstaged by the others. All showing concern. Notice Janet Jackson was the only woman wearing a hat that was hug-friendly? Do you suppose the crying was staged and Janet was there to comfort the bereaved? Michael Jackson was a good entertainer, at least until he started grabbing his crotch and dry-humping the air. How about his choice of wives? White? Do you suppose he did not want anyone who reminded him of his family? Payments to the quiet the accusers would idicate Jackson was admitting he was a pervert, wouldn't it? Children are safer now. And if his kids can get away from the Jackson family they just might stand a chance in this world. The only thing missing was an Elvis impersonator. Do you suppose black entertainers will be working in white-face.

Grand-Standing

Where were all these fans when Jackson was going to his problems? He has not performed in 12 1/2 years where were all these fans? Today was grand-standing. Using Jackson as they had used him his entire life.

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Thanks, John Jenkins
865-803-8179  cell
Gatlinburg, TN

Email: jrjenki@gmail.com
Website: http://www.greenbriersolutions.com  
Blog: http://littlepigeon.blogspot.com/

Infinity: There's always room for one more!  

We Must Learn From History

Have you noticed our soldiers and marines are not as mobile as the Taliban or Viet Cong for that matter? Look at all the stuff they are required to carry and still be alert. How do we expect our soldiers and marines to chase an enemy with all the equipment they are required to carry? Reminds me of the British and their rules and regulations vs the Colonists with just a musket and their shoes. Armies that move like ours cannot win a long drawn out war.

MJ Groupees

The people performing at the funeral are just taking advantage of the situation to try to boost their own careers. If they loved Jackson they would have stood by him during his perversions. If the public loved Jackson his career would not have gone into the toilet. While a good entertainer Jackson spent too much money on himself. He was not a nice person. But you can't beat dying owing 1/2 a billion dollars for others to pay. He was a performer.

Concerning Independence Day…

Regarding the signing of the Declaration of Independence, John Adams said, "[Independence Day] will be the most memorable epoch in the history of America. I am apt to believe that it will be celebrated by succeeding generations as the great anniversary festival. It ought to be commemorated as the Day of Deliverance by solemn acts of devotion to God Almighty. It ought to be solemnized with pomp and parade, with shows, games, sports, guns, bells, bonfires and illuminations, from one end of this continent to the other, from this time forward forevermore."

"You will think me transported with enthusiasm, but I am not. I am well aware of the toil and blood and treasure that it will cost us to maintain this Declaration, and support and defend these States. Yet through all the gloom I can see the rays of ravishing light and glory; I can see that the end is more than worth all the means, that posterity will triumph in that day's transaction, even though we should rue it, which I trust in God we shall not."

The signers of America's Declaration of Independence endured the sacrifice of both toil and blood. Pertaining to the lives of the signers, David Limbaugh writes, "Of those 56 who signed the Declaration of Independence, nine died of wounds or hardships during the war. Five were captured and imprisoned, in each case with brutal treatment. Several lost wives, sons or entire families. One lost his thirteen children. Two wives were brutally treated. All were at one time or another the victims of manhunts and driven from their homes. Twelve signers had their homes completely burned. Seventeen lost everything they owned."

John Adams and Thomas Jefferson died on July 4, 1826. Daniel Webster gave the eulogy for both men on August 2 of that year. Included in his remarks on that notable day were these words: "It [the Declaration of Independence] is my living sentiment, and by the blessing of God, it shall be my dying sentiment. Independence now, and independence forever."

Americans Fickle

If the majority of Americans were Michael Jackson fans his career would not have gone into the toilet. He is an oddity, similar to watching a train wreck. He was talented but as with most celebrities he did not listen. As it has for the past 12 years after the funeral he will go into history. Unless of course there are a lot of black performers willing to work in white face.

--
Thanks, John Jenkins
865-803-8179  cell
Gatlinburg, TN

Email: jrjenki@gmail.com
Website: http://www.greenbriersolutions.com  
Blog: http://littlepigeon.blogspot.com/

Infinity: There's always room for one more!  

Atheism is not Logical

Have you ever considered that what atheists think is irrelevant. If they are right their thoughts are accidents and how can anyone consider an accident to be reliable? Also, just how serious can you take a human being who actually believes they are descended from a monkey? 

Health Care

This communication is being sent to Representative Roe, Senator Alexander, and Senator Corker.

The subject is Universal Health Care.

As you are well aware, Congress has given themselves a health care plan better than any plan they will give the voter. At the same time Congress has given themselves a retirement plan that no one in the world even comes close to.That said, where in the Constitution does it permit congress to do either of them? Aren't you supposed to abide by the Constitution?

Nationalization of the automobile industry is also unconstitutional but I will give you that one. After all Thomas Jefferson's acquisition was against everything he stood for when he ran for president and Abraham Lincoln did some pretty unconstitutional things in his attempt to maintain the Union.

It is time you and your fellow members of congress get back to the Constitution. It's time you got back to your oath to protect the constitution. Or you can prove me correct. What do I mean by that?

I have long asserted politicians are dishonest, unethical, and immoral. They will take care of themselves first, those who give them money and finally last and by all means least, help the voter.

You have taken care of yourselves first via your health care, benefits and pension. You respond to the lobbyist's money. You treat votes on issues as a way of obtaining favors. We constantly hear of members of congress who do not pay taxes, use the undocumented as household slaves, participate in trysts with interns and lobbyists and stonewall investigations into such behavior. Can you prove me wrong? How about starting with subjecting yourself to the same health care you force upon the voters? How about voting NO!! on healthcare so the government will not be providing health care for either of us. p.s Get the government out of the automobile business as soon as possible and then stay out of the business of business.

Dead Pitchman

Do you suppose that Billy whatever his name is or was got a as-seen-on-TV-pacemaker?

Health Care - Roe, Alexander, Corker

This communication is being sent to Representative Roe, Senator Alexander, and Senator Corker.

The subject is Universal Health Care.

As you are well aware, Congress has given themselves a health care plan better than any plan they will give the voter. At the same time Congress has given themselves a retirement plan that no one in the world even comes close to.

That said, where in the Constitution does it permit congress to do either of them? Aren't you supposed to abide by the Constitution?

Nationalization of the automobile industry is also unconstitutional but I will give you that one. After all Thomas Jefferson's acquisition was against everything he stood for when he ran for president and Abraham Lincoln did some pretty unconstitutional things in his attempt to maintain the Union.

It is time you and your fellow members of congress get back to the Constitution. It's time you got back to your oath to protect the constitution. Or you can prove me correct. What do I mean by that? I have long asserted politicians are dishonest, unethical, and immoral. They will take care of themselves first, those who give them money and finally last and by all means least, help the voter.

You have taken care of yourselves first via your health care, benefits and pension. You respond to the lobbyist's money. You treat votes on issues as a way of obtaining favors. We constantly hear of members of congress who do not pay taxes, use the undocumented as household slaves, participate in trysts with interns and lobbyists and stonewall investigations into such behavior.

Can you prove me wrong? How about starting with subjecting yourself to the same health care you force upon the voters? How about voting NO!! on healthcare so the government will not be providing health care for either of us.

p.s Get the government out of the automobile business as soon as possible and then stay out of the business of business.

Governor must go...

If the South Carolina governor is going to reimburse the state for some expenses it would suggest he misused state funds. Doesn't that equate to stealing? He has to go.

Doctors Prescribing Drugs for Celebrities

What moron does not know celebrities get whatever they want, sex, drugs, alcohol, M&Ms, whatever they want. Let's not pretend we do not know. Michael Jackson as did Elvis got what he wanted and was so "big" he could not be reasoned with so he was alone and he died. Anna Smith, her son, same thing. No one has the courage to say "No" to them.

Celebrities are food of parasites

Celebrities are surrounded by people for whom they are a meal ticket. Of course they enable the celebrity. If they don't he stops supporting them financially. In nature they are parasites. Look at his appearance. He looked freakish as do many celebrites. Which of the parasites would tell him he looked horrible? Look at his smile. His face exhibited nerve damage. As do the faces of many celebrities.

Ecological Intelligence

I am reading a book "Ecological Intelligence." The fellow talks about Life Cycle Assessment. LCA is the study of the affect on the ecology to manufacture an item, the manufacture of each part that makes up the item, the transportation of the completed item plus each part and the manufacture of the material that goes into each item and each part. The result is nothing is "green" just in that direction. The author claims there is a fundamental disconnect between what we do and how it matters.

Some examples:

The Swiss Federal Institute for Snow and Avalanche Research documents warming that leads mountain slopes below 5,000 feet to get 20 percent less snow that was true in earlier decades. Too little snowfall means that resorts have to manufacture the stuff, using machines that require enormous amounts of energy---and so worsen climate heating. Yet even in balmy weather, come the season skiers blithely expect to hit the slopes n matter what. So resorts concoct the man-made fluff with energy-hungry snow making equipment.

Industrial ecologists did a careful analysis of a green housing project in Vienna where residents gave up cars and used the money saved by not building garages to build solar energy collectors and the like. When it came to energy use and getting around, these households were far lower in their carbon emissions than conventional households. But when it came to everything else---food, travels beyond Vienna, and the overall basket of goods they bought---these households were no better than any others.

Common ingredients in sunscreen turn to prime the growth of a virus in the algae that live inside coral reefs. Researchers estimate between 4,000 and 6,000 metric tons of sunscreen wash off swimmers each year worldwide, threatening to turn about 10 percent of coral reefs into bleached skeletons. The dangers are greatest, of course, where the most swimmers are drawn to the beauty of these reefs.

If you play football you can get away with anything

Letter to the local paper in response to an editorial praising Donte's Stallworth 30days in jail and 2 years house arrest with work privileges for DUI and killing a pedestrian not in a crosswalk. You cannot hit anyone in the cross walk but outside of the walk you can get points....

This is a perfect example of why we will never get serious about drunk driving. DUI and caused the death of a person but because he is a football player he gets house arrest but he can go to work al long as he does not drive. If he flashed his lights why didn't he just STOP? Speeding you say? No matter he plays football he can flash his lights and then run over anyone. To treat him like we would be treated he should not be permitted to pay anyone for driving him and no one associated with the team could drive him either. Women will jump at the chance to jump him so he won't be deprived and will have what amounts to permanent conjugal visits. I imagine his house is like a small town to the rest of us so he should not be cramped for space. Michael Vick got worse for killing dogs and he was sober. As with all drunks, Stallworth didn't care about anyone but himself. How many of us could pay the victim's family and thus get this light punishment. Talk about special treatment he got it and The Mountain Press applauds it because he played for UT.

Apologies are an Exercise in Hypocrisy.

Americans fixate on making people lie. Requiring apologies from criminals, celebrities, etc is an exercise in futility. We feel better if people lie and say they agree with us or that they have been bad boys and girls. Leave it alone. Live with it.

Wrong is Wrong

Some things are wrong. Killing Dr. Tiller was wrong. What Dr. Tiller was doing was wrong. You can scrap the argument that what Dr. Tiller was doing was legal slavery was legal within the United States it did not make it right. Or do you believe it did? You black people out there you had better be on the alert when you are around people who favor abortion. They would not have helped your ancestors because they believe anything legal must be right and they will not help you.

Abortion is considered the right of a woman to choose after all it is her body. How stupid is that? Moralists will punish the same woman if she uses her body to earn money, except in Nevada.

Some people argue that abortion is wrong except under specific situations. Those are people who do not know what they believe. If aborting a baby conceived in love is wrong so is aborting a baby conceived in hate or rape or incest. The conditions under which the baby is conceived do not determine the type of life conceived nor does it control whether killing it is right or wrong.

The other night on television the news people were interviewing a thirteen-year-old girl who had recently had a late term abortion. Her doctor, instead of letting the baby begin to exit the girl's body and inserting a tube into the baby's head and sucking the baby's brains out, introduced a solution into the thirteen-year-old mother's womb that killed the baby. The girl then explained how the nurses instructed her to sit on the toilet and push. The interviewer asked the girl what happened to her baby. The girl answered, "I don't know. I left my baby dead in the toilet." That was legal. It was wrong. She killed her baby. She killed her parent's grandchild. A doctor who had promised to first do no harm killed her baby. Nurses and medical technicians trained to assist life killed her baby.

How many Albert Einsteins, Martin Luther Kings, Van Goghs, George Washingtons, you get the picture, have been aborted. How many inventors or discoverers of cures of illnesses, we are terrified of contracting, have been aborted?

Recently a Muslim man killed a United States soldier in Arkansas, hardly a battle ground. The murderer says he does not believe what he did was murder because murder is when you kill someone without a good reason. How many of the people favoring abortion agree with the Muslim murderer? They should their justifications for murdering fetuses and babies are the same as the Muslim's for murdering a soldier. He believes he had a good reason and so do those who favor abortion. That does not make it any less wrong.

Dr Tiller was murdered while he was attending a church service. Let's look at that. In the Bible Hannah prayed for a baby and God listened to her petition and Samuel was born. What if she had changed her mind and had an abortion had killed Samuel? Anyone believing the Bible to be God's revelation believes God gave Hannah the baby for which she prayed. An abortion would have been killing a life that God had initiated. How about Elizabeth, one abortion and no John the Baptist? How about Mary? Would it have been right to suck the brains out of the infant Jesus? Just think, two thousand years ago a sucking sound and no Messiah. The Messiah, dead in a toilet. How about God saying he knew the prophet Jeremiah while Jeremiah was still in his mother's womb? Jeremiah's mother could have aborted her baby, could have killed Jeremiah. How about your mother? OK to kill you and leave you dead in the toilet? Do you wonder what the people of the church where Dr. Tiller was thought to be saved, believed? What Bible do they read?

Until Christians wake up and understand culture does not determine right and wrong the United States will continue its downward spiral. What atheists think is irrelevant because if they are right their thoughts are accidents and how can anyone consider an accident to be reliable? How serious can you take a human being who actually believes they are descended from a monkey? I wonder do monkeys abort little monkeys?

What Dr. Tiller was doing was wrong. What happened to Dr Tiller was wrong. Abortion is wrong. Being legal does not change that.

Energy Independence, Will Never Happen!

Energy independence will never happen Wonder Why?

Dozens of bases in and around the Middle East would close. The Navy's Fifth Fleet would be out of a job. Weapons contracts worth billions if not hundreds of billions of dollars would be canceled.

So Media... How about asking difficult questions instead of fawning over President Obama.

Obama's Green Bay Model

The president apparently likes Green Bay, Wisconsin's low-cost health care and hopes to use Green Bay as a model example of high-quality treatment despite lower spending than other municipalities. It appears Green Bay may be socialist.

One other point....in Green Bay the NFL has been nationalized. The city owns the team.

Late Night Television is Stale

The Late Night shows are stale. What began 50 or so years ago as breakout television is stale. Each of the "stars" have their cult-like followers. NBC has O'Brien, CBS has Letterman, ABC? I have no idea but the bottom line is they are stale. Leno was telling Katrina jokes until he left the show, years after the hurricane. O'Brien will be O'Brien and that means another stale unfunny late night show,. Letterman attempts to be different but he is not. Letterman keys on bodily functions and the families of politicians. Not funny, except to his cult-like followers. The networks are shells of what they once were. And as old athletes it is difficult for them to admit they just don't have it anymore. Like cable networks with their stale "contributors." Fat, dumb and lazy.

Pawns

Journalists need to learn they are on their own when they go to other countries, especially countries antagonistic to the United States. The two arrested by North Korea should have known better. They cannot be allowed to affect policy. Now they will have 12-years to think about their screw up..

Legal worse than Illegal!

When pressed as to why the "Left" becomes upset at torturing people who attacked us, killing thousands, but supports doctors such as Dr. Tiller who kill tens of thousands. Their response is abortions are legal and torturing is illegal. Less than 100 years ago it was socially acceptable to kill black people for almost no reason. Slavery was legal. With the logic they use today they would have supported those who, in the past, killed black people and owned slaves because it was legal Interesting group, don't you think?. Warning to black people be careful of your leftist friends....

Allies are meant to Be Able to Help

While Obama may or may not believe what he says people who refuse to accept that the world has changed are equally as naive.

Allies are meant to be able to help each other. Currently none of our allies can help us.We must ally with countries that can and in the Middle East there is one country that can. Some can provide oil and some can provide military but only one can provide both and that is Iran.

We have to nullify all agreements that require us to go to war to protect countries who cannot help us. I guess that means all. And look only to our interests in the future. If you provide meaningful help to us we will not come to your defense. I do not want any American to die protecting Taiwan from China. Our agreements require us to do so.

Ally

The United States should ally themselves with countries that can help them. In the Middle East there is one country that fits the bill and that is Iran. Some can provide oil and one can provide military but only one can provide both and that is Iran.

--
Regards,
John Jenkins
865-803-8179  cell
Gatlinburg, TN

Email: jrjenki@gmail.com
Website: http://www.greenbriersolutions.com  
Blog: http://littlepigeon.blogspot.com/

Hokey Pokey Anonymous, a place to turn yourself around.

Retooling the Industry Base

The difference between coming back from the Depression followed by WWII (wars always help the economy) and today are the unions are stronger. In the past big business could do whatever they liked to the workers today unions and lawsuits stifle progress.

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Regards,
John Jenkins
865-803-8179  cell
Gatlinburg, TN

Email: jrjenki@gmail.com
Website: http://www.greenbriersolutions.com  
Blog: http://littlepigeon.blogspot.com/

Hokey Pokey Anonymous, a place to turn yourself around.

Iran Yes, Israel No

It looks like president Obama may understand the Middle East. There is only one country beneficial to the United States and that is Iran. Saudi Arabia, Iraq, Syria can provide oil but no military. Israel can provide military but no oil. Iran can provide oil and military power. They can militarily and politically be an ally. No one else is worth our time.

--
Regards,
John Jenkins
865-803-8179  cell
Gatlinburg, TN

Email: jrjenki@gmail.com
Website: http://www.greenbriersolutions.com  
Blog: http://littlepigeon.blogspot.com/

Hokey Pokey Anonymous, a place to turn yourself around.

Abortionist Murder

I guess the doctor knows now if he was right or wrong. Amazes me the AMA let him continue to practice. Now we have two.

--
Regards,
John Jenkins
865-803-8179  cell
Gatlinburg, TN

Email: jrjenki@gmail.com
Website: http://www.greenbriersolutions.com  
Blog: http://littlepigeon.blogspot.com/

Hokey Pokey Anonymous, a place to turn yourself around.

Sonia Sotomayor

The White House says Supreme Court nominee Sonia Sotomayor acknowledges she made a poor word choice in a 2001 speech in which she said that a Latina judge would often reach a better conclusion than a white male judge who hasn't lived the same life.

That's according to presidential spokesman Robert Gibbs. He says he has not talked directly to Sotomayor about it but has spoken to people who have.

Makes no difference. If Judge Bork or Judge Roberts or any other white male nominee had made a corresponding statement Judge Sotomayor's supporters would be up in arms. Judge Sotomayor is disqualified as a racist or at the least a very careless judge. She also says judges make policy. She tried to explain it away but failed. She is a racist, sexist, careless judge. Try again President Obama...
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Regards,
John Jenkins
865-803-8179  cell
Gatlinburg, TN

Email: jrjenki@gmail.com
Website: http://www.greenbriersolutions.com  
Blog: http://littlepigeon.blogspot.com/

Hokey Pokey Anonymous, a place to turn yourself around.

North Korea Fires Again

North Korea firing missiles is not the United States' problem We should stay out of it. We should leave South Korea and let Russia and China resolve any issues, It is not our problem!!!

 

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Regards,
John Jenkins
865-803-8179  cell
Gatlinburg, TN

Email: jrjenki@gmail.com
Website: http://www.greenbriersolutions.com  
Blog: http://littlepigeon.blogspot.com/

Hokey Pokey Anonymous, a place to turn yourself around.

Social media may have profound impact on personality development

I saw this article on a Knoxville Technology Blog. It is a couple of pages but I thought it was up your alley...

 

On a rainy day, a researcher  was sitting in a shopping mall people-watching. About 75% of the folks between the ages of 13 and 25 were either texting or talking on their phone as they were walking – even if they were with a group.

 

Being a teen is all about connecting with friends and social media is the perfect channel to do that. In fact, the average teen in America texts nearly 1,500 times a month and 15,000/month is not unheard of (that's 500 messages per day!)

 

Clearly, screen-based stimulation has become the primary source of socialization and entertainment among teens and increasingly younger children. Just a few generations ago, the vast majority of a child's time was playing with friends in the dirt, kicking a ball or playing "house" (or if you go way back, I guess they played "cave.") What's the impact of the "highly-wired child" in our new world?

 

The social media brain

An individual's neural framework is nearly set by the time they are 15 years old. Everything a child experiences forms neural pathways, and the most-used pathways become aspects of their personality and the foundation of how they interact as adults. Before the days of screen-based entertainment (most of human history!), the strongest pathways were naturally formed by intense socialization with family members and friends, physical activity and interacting with nature in some way.

 

With so many children spending MOST of their time in front of keyboards and flashing screen, I began to think about this impact on their development and on society. Wouldn't personality development in the digital age have to be fundamentally, drastically and permanently different?

 

A disregard for consequence

New research confirms this. A professor of synaptic pharmacology at Lincoln College (U.K.) claims social network sites risk infantilizing the mid-21st century mind, leaving it characterized by short attention spans, sensationalism, inability to empathize, and a shaky sense of identity.

 

Professor Lady Greenfield said the rapid-fire reward of video games and text messaging could be a cause of the three-fold rise in Attention Deficit Disorder (ADD) over the past 10 years.

 

She warned against "a marked preference for the here-and-now, where the immediacy of an experience trumps any regard for the consequences. After all, whenever you play a computer game, you can always just play it again; everything you do is reversible. The emphasis is on the thrill of the moment, the buzz of rescuing the princess in the game. No care is given for the princess herself, for the content, or for any long-term significance, because there is none. This type of activity -- a disregard for consequence -- can be compared with the thrill of compulsive gambling or compulsive eating.

 

"The sheer compulsion of reliable and almost immediate reward is being linked to similar chemical systems in the brain that may also play a part in drug addiction, Greenwood said. "So we should not underestimate the 'pleasure' of interacting with a screen when we puzzle over why it seems so appealing to young people."

 

A new way of relating

For teens already struggling with insecurity, social networking can provide a constant reassurance that they are listened to, recognized, and valued. That can be a good thing unless there is no balance with other life skills such as learning to interpret non-verbal behaviors, holding a conversation, and dealing with conflict when you don't have the time to think up a witty text message.

 

Free, instantaneous, global communication is creating a generation who will recoil at the thought of three-dimensional conversations, whose social identity and self-esteem will be validated by flashing messages on a computer or cellphone screen. The sanitized, detached world of social media has become the norm, and will reach even younger children with new innovations that avoid live interactions.

 

While this sounds depressing, follow the logic through to its conclusion. Social media is not going away … quite the opposite. So in the ADD world of our future, those who grew up as digital natives of the Facebook society should have an ADVANTAGE over those who were sheltered. Can you imagine a world where an articulate, well-spoken, well-read individual is the social outcast? If you're under 20, it's here.

 

--
Regards,
John Jenkins
865-803-8179  cell
Gatlinburg, TN

Email: jrjenki@gmail.com
Website: http://www.greenbriersolutions.com  
Blog: http://littlepigeon.blogspot.com/

Hokey Pokey Anonymous, a place to turn yourself around.

Tabloid Television....H1N1

Reporters ask if the Chinese are over-reacting or just being cautious when they quarantine Americans. Neither, the Chinese are just harassing Americans. YOU are over-reacting. The report is the death toll from the H1N1 virus in the United States is rising……….by 2. Total is now a terrifying 11, worldwide less than 100. 36 children have been murdered in Chicago this year, drunks killed more than that last weekend. How about taking all the money being thrown at a nonexistent N1H1 problem and using it for something useful. Tabloid journalism!!!

--
Regards,
John Jenkins
865-803-8179  cell
Gatlinburg, TN

Email: jrjenki@gmail.com
Website: http://www.greenbriersolutions.com  
Blog: http://littlepigeon.blogspot.com/

Hokey Pokey Anonymous, a place to turn yourself around.

Resource Officers / Surveillance Cameras Do Not Provide Security

Recently our local paper ran a story where the victim of a crime told a friend who told the Resource Officer at their school.

 

It is easy to see that Resource officers and surveillance cameras do not make us safer they make it a bit easier to catch the criminal.

 

It seems to me a bit odd that with a building full of teachers, staff, administrators, custodians, etc not to mention parents at home, the only person the child trusted was the resource officer?

The Red Menace? Which Came First. the Chicken of the Egg?

Some people believe the government makes socialism, I do not.

A government of the people, by the people for the people requires the participation of the people. Socialism evolves when the people fail the government. Democracy evolves into Socialis when the people discover they can vote for someone who will give them something. 50% of the people who either are eligible to vote or would be eligible if they would register do not vote. That tells those in power the people do not care. We have just tolerated an administration that did everything it could to negate the Constitution and the people said nothing. The current administration promises to give the people whatever the people want.

On the subject of the type of economy socialist, communist, capitalist etc have you considered the type of economy God sanctioned to save the people through whom He would eventually provide the Messiah?

Under the Pharaohs Egypt appeared to have had a capitalist economy. What happened? When trouble came the people lost confidence in their ability to act and looked to the government to save them. Seem familiar?

During the good years the Pharaoh took a high percentage of the crops if not all of the excess of normal harvest. During the famine, the Pharaoh sold the food he had confiscated to the people who had grown it. When the people had spent all of their money the Pharaoh took the people's livestock in exchange for food and eventually their land and finally the people themselves. The people became servants to Pharaoh. The people had become completely dependent on the government for survival. Pharaoh owned all of Egypt minus the land of the priests. When the people sold themselves for food the Pharaoh gave them seed with instructions that they owed 20% of future crops to Pharaoh. The once free farmers were tenant farmers they owned no land, no animals. The possessed only what the Pharaoh permitted them to possess. No one had anything they could consider their own. Except for the riches of Pharaoh Egypt had all things in common.

Working through Joseph, God apparently thought everyone having all things in common was the best way to proceed. Or did he? Could it possibly have been the mindset of the people, looking to Pharaoh, instead of relying on God?

In the first century the immersed had every thing in common. No one considered any of the things that belonged to him was there own.

I understand the Bible to promote communism more than capitalism or socialism. There is nothing inherently wrong with becoming rich but if one follows God how do they accumulate riches?

The people who founded our country relied on God and themselves and many died broke and indebt. Today the people rely on government. And that is the difference.

--
Regards,
John Jenkins
865-803-8179 cell
Gatlinburg, TN

Email: jrjenki@gmail.com
Website: http://www.greenbriersolutions.com
Blog: http://littlepigeon.blogspot.com/

"The greatest danger for most of us is not that our aim is too high and we miss it, but that it is too low and we reach it." Michelangelo

Billionaires Club

I realize our capitalist mindset says what you have is yours and you must try to collect as much as you can and keep it. Our society encourages us to buy things. You hear about people going shopping; I think I will go buy something. Imagine what that sounds like to a person who does not have enough food to feed their children. No, considering you can only wear so many clothes at the same time; that you can live in one house, one room at a time; drive one car at a time those rich people are very uncaring, selfish, stingy, egotistical. Nothing to be proud of. For a person who has $50 billions of dollars to dole out $5 billions is nothing. Too many people in the world starving.......I knew a man who gave 90% of his income away and he still lived very well. Now he was a nice man. These rich people are -0- compared to him..

--
Regards,
John Jenkins
865-803-8179  cell
Gatlinburg, TN

Email: jrjenki@gmail.com
Website: http://www.greenbriersolutions.com  
Blog: http://littlepigeon.blogspot.com/

"The greatest danger for most of us is not that our aim is too high and we miss it, but that it is too low and we reach it." Michelangelo

Obama Taps Fundraiser as UK Ambassador

 

Instead of appointing political hacks as ambassadors it might be nice if the president would nominate someone who can help the United States and not the president's pocketbook.

--
Regards,
John Jenkins
865-803-8179  cell
Gatlinburg, TN

Email: jrjenki@gmail.com
Website: http://www.greenbriersolutions.com  
Blog: http://littlepigeon.blogspot.com/

"The greatest danger for most of us is not that our aim is too high and we miss it, but that it is too low and we reach it." Michelangelo

Colgen Gone

It would be prudent for airlines to be sure their pilots are trained in all aspects of the plane they will be piloting if for no other reason than to ensure the maximum safety for their passengers. My guess is when everything shakes out this airline will no longer be flying. All other airlines should take note.

--
Regards,
John Jenkins
865-803-8179  cell
Gatlinburg, TN

Email: jrjenki@gmail.com
Website: http://www.greenbriersolutions.com  
Blog: http://littlepigeon.blogspot.com/

"The greatest danger for most of us is not that our aim is too high and we miss it, but that it is too low and we reach it." Michelangelo

Barack Obama / Joseph

On the subject of the type of economy socialist, communist, capitalist etc have you considered the type of economy God apparently found preferable in his effort to save the people through whom He would eventually provide the Messiah?
 
With God's blessing, Joseph created the Egyptian IRS. And we believe this to be the providence of God.
 
During the good years the Egyptian IRS took a high percentage of the crops if not all of the abundance, the excess of normal harvest. Talk about a tax rate. During the famine, the Egyptian IRS sold the food they had confiscated back to the people who had grown it. Nothing indicates the people had any voice in the price they were required to pay. When the people had spent all their money the Egyptian IRS took the people's livestock in exchange for food and eventually their land and finally the people themselves. The people became servants to the Egyptian IRS The people were completely dependent on the government for survival. The record shows the Egyptian IRS owned all of Egypt minus the land of the priests. When the people sold themselves the Egyptian IRS gave them seed with instructions that they owed 20% of future crops to the Egyptian IRS. The once free farmers, were tenant farmers, they owned no land, no animals, nothing except what the Egyptian IRS gave them.
 
In the first century the immersed had every thing in common. No one considered any of the things that belonged to him was there own.
 
Concerning our economy today, what is our current president doing that the Bible suggests God would disagree with?

Women and Clothes

Something your female reporters and anchors might want to clarify is how they got where they are without taking their clothes off or did they? It appears with Ms CA and Ms RI and most of the women involved in movies take their clothes off to get ahead. It appears we are raising a generation of girls who think sex is not sex and the best way to get ahead is to strip.
--
Regards,
John Jenkins
865-803-8179  cell
Gatlinburg, TN

Email: jrjenki@gmail.com
Website: http://www.greenbriersolutions.com  
Blog: http://littlepigeon.blogspot.com/

"The greatest danger for most of us is not that our aim is too high and we miss it, but that it is too low and we reach it." Michelangelo

Don't Ask Don't Tell Policy

Reports are that President Obama is considering doing away with the Don't Ask Don't Tell practice President Clinton initiated. The president does not have the last word on the subject. If the men and women serving in the military do not want gays with them and stop enlisting and re-enlisting any changes Obama makes will be cancelled. To avoid embarrassment the president had better be sure the members of the military support him.

--
Regards,
John Jenkins
865-803-8179  cell
Gatlinburg, TN

Email: jrjenki@gmail.com
Website: http://www.greenbriersolutions.com  
Blog: http://littlepigeon.blogspot.com/

"The greatest danger for most of us is not that our aim is too high and we miss it, but that it is too low and we reach it." Michelangelo

Dog's beware..

A teenage girl was injured in an apparent dog attack Saturday night, according to dispatchers in Loudon County.

They said the attack was reported just before 10:00 p.m. on Deer Cove Lane in Greenback.

The girl was driven toward Maryville by private vehicle, but an ambulance was called to pick her up from a market just inside Blount County.

Details about the girl's injuries or what breed of dog was involved were not released.

Am I the only person fascinated by the fact we humans do not have enough things to do , enough problems with which we must cope that we bring untrained, undisciplined animals in to our living space with from me must defend ourselves?

As with lawyers, 99% of the dogs that rome our neighborhoods give the remaining 1% a bad rap.

Re: Ms California in the spotlight

Another thing about Ms California. Expressing her beliefs as she did she is being praised for courage to stand on her christian beliefs. The contest paid for her boob job so she could display them on TV to encourage more viewers. My guess is a bikini is not quite the modest address the Bible recommends. She is not a good example for Christian girls to look up to. Al though christian boys would like looking down her t-shirt..

Is Memorization Dead? - Tamim Ansary

I met a man in Pakistan a few years ago who recited the Koran professionally. When he decided on this career path -- in his late 30s -- he got busy and learned the whole Koran by heart, all 114 chapters of it, even though he didn't know Arabic and was thus memorizing pure sounds, not words. It took him six months.

Six months! How is that even possible? How can someone memorize more than 300 pages of text in a language they don't know?

Apparently, it's not hard if you live in a culture that values memorization. Apparently, if you do a lot of memorizing when you're young, you can do it when you're older.

Our ancestors all lived in cultures like that. In ancient times, feats of memorization were routine. The "Mahabharata," the world's longest poem -- over 90,000 verses -- was passed down orally for centuries before it was written down. The same goes for the "Iliad," the "Odyssey" and many other epics.

 

Gutenberg Squared

When the relatively new information technology of books hit ancient Greece, Plato was concerned. If reading and writing catch on, he warned, they will have a detrimental effect. Human beings will lose their capacity for memory. Instead of internalizing the information they need, people will just write it down, to consult as needed. Education will degenerate. Instead of learning The Iliad and The Odessy by heart children will just put it on the shelf. The intellect will shrink as knowledge becomes stored outside the human mind.

Plato was the first media critic. Although it might seem easy to assume that Plato was overacting --- the fact remains that Plato was right. People in literate societies do seem to lack memory capacity of those in oral cultures. African tribesmen can still exhibit prodigious feats or memory, reciting seemingly endless genealogies and thousands of lines of tribal epics, while those of us who can read and write rely on Post-its to remind us what to pickup at the grocery store. New information media do affect the way people think, the possibilities of a culture, and its worldview.

Plato was correct to see that the worldview of his beloved Greece, with its tribal virtues, would be undermined by the rise of books. But this new information technology would fit well with the worldview of the ancient Hebrews, who believed that God communicates to human beings primarily through a Book. The Hebrew Bible goes back to the origins or writing itself.  The alphabet, which breaks down sounds of speech into discrete visible symbols makes reading and writing possible and easily learned, was the invention of an ancient Middle Eastern people, the Phoenicians, whose Semitic language is related to Hebrew.

Ms California in the spotlight

While I support Ms California's right to freedom of speech she, as well as of all Christians, should realize she "represents" all Californians, no matter how ludicrous their views. As a representative she has no right to express a personal opinion that is negative to those she represents.

Christians, and I consider myself one, must understand we no longer live in a Christian nation. Christians are becoming a smaller percent of the total population of the United States and we must accept we are a minority. We live in a Republic where the majority must consider the minority but not necessarily defers to them. In this case, gay's are noisy but politically they are irrelevant.

Christians should bring ethics, morals, and honesty with them. When representing a group, Christians must represent the group. If a person who is a Muslim represents me I do not want them making comments negative to Christianity. If a person who is Gay represents me I do not want them making comments negative to Christianity. If a Christian cannot represent all the people they should not represent.

Ms California should have recognized she was being setup and should have answered accordingly. Now she just might lose her crown. Not in violation of her freedom of speech but her violation of the rules of representation.

Ms California prancing around 85% naked on stage, on television, before millions of voyeurs intentionally drawing attention to every area of her body already violates the conscience of most Christians but who worries about us? But we should not have been watching. I did not....

Interrogation Techniques

Our government prosecuted our soldiers for waterboarding Viet Cong. Instead of waterboarding take two enemy up in a helicopter. Maybe 15,000 feet. Throw one out and ask the other one questions. You might be surprised how effective that would be, and no one considers it torture.

Freedom???

How about investigating to see if this is true:

A Louisiana driver has been stopped and detained for having a "Don't Tread on Me" bumper sticker on his vehicle and warned by a police officer about the "subversive" message it sent, according to the driver's relative.

MLB is World Wrestling Federation in cleats

We now know that Manny Ramirez is a myth. Anyone who believes it was an accident is a moron. MLB is a fake. It will take more than 50 games to get it out of his system so he should be banned for 5 years.....

The Department of Defense does not do Defense

When the Cold War or the "Long Peace" ended, the United States had already begun a decade of interventionism. Our military either by land, by air or by sea, invaded, Panama, the Persian Gulf, Bosnia and Haiti, Kosovo, Afghanistan, and Sudan. But these were just preliminary. The main event was the open-ended, no-end-in-sight, no-exit-strategy global war on terror or as some call it the "Long War."

Failure in Somalia did little to detract from our self-delusional-view that the United States was beyond challenge. We were told by our leaders and we believed we were an indispensable nation and our chief responsibility was to preside over globalization. Pax Americana. Our self-assigned duty was to establish and enforce our self-defined-norms for international order. As with Rome of old we assumed an existence of unlimited reserves of power---economic, political, cultural and though last, above all, military. As Rome's leaders were horribly mistaken so were our leaders.

We thought ourselves to be the "sole superpower."

The problem was what we called the Department of Defense, did not actually do defense but power projection. On September 11, 2001 the Pentagon was prepared for any number of contingencies in the Balkans, or Northeast Asia, or the Persian Gulf. It was just not prepared to protect our nation's eastern coastline. Our well-trained and equipped military were ready to defend Seoul or Riyadh but Manhattan was left to fend for itself.

When it came to defending American interests, anything and everything took precedence over guarding our own perimeter. After 9/11 the Bush administration's primary focus was Pax Americana. This was to be done by persuasion if possible or force as required to bring the Islamic world into conformity with American norms.

And we wonder why we are hated by much of the world.

Education vs Prison

In 2006 California spent $3.5 billion on the state university system during the same period it spent $9.9 billion of the state prison system. Does this make financial sense?

Aging vs Decaying

It turns out that 70% or American aging in not real aging. It's just decay. It's rot from the stuff that we do. All the lifestyle diseases...the diabetes, the obesity, the heart disease, much of Alzheimer's, lots of cancers, and almost all of the osteoporosis, those are all decay. Nature doesn't have that in store for any of us. we go out and buy it off the rack.

Dr.Henry Lodge,Younger

Letter to Rep Roe, and Sen Corker and Alexander Republican Party in Trouble

It could go without saying that the Republican party is in trouble. And that the primary cause is there is no party leadership. The party selected a black man as chairman of the party not because he is uniquely qualified or that he has a reputation as a fund raiser or that he brings dynamic leadership to the position but lamely because he is black.

 

The party has Limbaugh, Hannity, Coulter, and Ingraham saying they have the solution but they do not. They all showed they are not conservative, not Republican just complainers. John McCain is much closer to their ideology than is Barack Obama but instead of supporting McCain they complained. Ron Paul, attempting and failing to make a point he made Obama president.

 

Third parties are destroying our system. If third parties are to continue the Constitution needs to be changed to require a majority of the votes cast to declare a winner. When no one has a majority of the votes a follow-up election should be scheduled between the top two candidates. No one should be president without at least ½ of the voters support.

 

Until the Republican party figures out who it is republicans do not need to be concerned about run-off elections. They will not be in the top two.  Get rid of the current party leadership including those in congress and those leading the party. Go back to square one. What do you personally stand for and does the Republican party leadership stand with you?

Did You Know?

The active ingredient in Viagra can be found naturally in walnuts.

 

Oleander.  Whatever element of surprise this deadly beauty had was probably ruined when Janet Fitch's 1999 novel White Oleander got big: the mom in the story killed her womanizing boyfriend by smearing a concoction that included oleander sap all over his stuff. I know, you're skeptical: could that really kill someone? The answer: yep. Small amounts can be lethal or nearly lethal for adults, and you definitely want to keep kids and pets away from it. It's pretty uncommon around these parts though: fewer than 1,000 cases of oleander poisoning are reported in the U.S. every year. In places like Sri Lanka, though, suicide by oleander seed is becoming way too common. The pretty plant grows wild by the roadside and people have started taking it for trivial reasons because it's so easy to get. One doctor  reported that a teenage girl took a seed because her mother refused to take her shopping. Zantedeschia.  If you think this looks like a Calla lily, that's 'cause it is. Every part of this plant is toxic, but only if ingested - so if you're planning on having them in your wedding bouquet or something, don't worry. Touching the stem isn't going to kill you. If you take it home as a post-wedding snack, that's when you're in trouble: eating the Zantedeschia species has been the death of both livestock and children; symptoms include swelling of the mouth and throat, acute vomiting and diarrhea.

 

Hellebore.  There's a good reason it pops up when authors need to make witches concoct potions and powders: it has been known for its toxic properties since ancient times. At least, "black" hellebore (aka Christmas Rose) has been - it causes everything from vertigo and thirst to swelling of the throat and cardiac arrest. But it's also used in some medicines; some historians think that Alexander the Great was taking medicine with hellebore in it and may have accidentally overdosed on it. It was also used in the First Sacred War between the Amphictyonic League of Delphi and the City of Kirrha - Solon of Athens added a bunch of hellebore to Kirrha's water supply and supposedly the city was so sick with diarrhea that they couldn't fight back when Solon's troops invaded. Fool's Parsley is related to poison hemlock. If you're trying to off someone, though, it would be pretty silly to use Fool's Parsley: it's easily detected. It can inflame the eyelids and makes the stomach lining very red and irritated. But like hellebore, it has its good side, too: a really diluted form of the plant can help stop seizures in little kids.

 

Zantedeschia.  If you think this looks like a Calla lily, that's 'cause it is. Every part of this plant is toxic, but only if ingested - so if you're planning on having them in your wedding bouquet or something, don't worry. Touching the stem isn't going to kill you. If you take it home as a post-wedding snack, that's when you're in trouble: eating the Zantedeschia species has been the death of both livestock and children; symptoms include swelling of the mouth and throat, acute vomiting and diarrhea.

 

Fool's Parsley is related to poison hemlock. If you're trying to off someone, though, it would be pretty silly to use Fool's Parsley: it's easily detected. It can inflame the eyelids and makes the stomach lining very red and irritated. But like hellebore, it has its good side, too: a really diluted form of the plant can help stop seizures in little kids.

Fwd: Sin Discrimination

Hi Al,

 

In your class last Sunday the subject got around to homosexuals. One of the visitors mentioned that homosexuality used to be considered a mental illness. Today it is considered "the way a person is" which may be closer to reality that we are ready to admit. But either way Christians appear to be afraid of them. I worked with some of that persuasion and at least one died of AIDS or HIV or whatever. I know they are not all perverts, they do not hit on every man they see and while AIDS may be spread it is not contagious.

 

On the chance of hitting sensitive area, the GSMCOC very possibly had someone who admittedly was an active adulterer leading the singing at GSMCOC and we are none the worse off for it and he just might be better off for it. What if he had looked as if he were Gay, practicing or not?

 

I do not remember Jesus addressing the subject. Maybe under the Law of Moses they had been wiped out I do not know. Historically, homosexuals have been slaves, servants, teachers, nannies, as well as soldiers and Olympic athletes. When used as cooks they probably made a great soufflé, their uniforms were probably quite stylish and their camp was clean as a whistle. An army of homosexuals would look magnificent and eat very well as would their livestock. They would represent their country well especially at "state" occasions. 

 

It is easy to find where various Bible writers condemn homosexuality and promise that those who participate in such will not be among those saved. Condemnation of a host of other sins is also easily found along with similar promise but Christians have selected homosexuality to detest more than the others.

 

In your line of work have you ever concluded why Christians abhor homosexuals to the extent they do while readily accepting adulterers, fornicators and other "sinners?"  If the GSMCOC girls who became pregnant without the benefit of a marriage license were Lesbian would GSMCOC have been as forgiving and forgetting?

 

Stop already with the flagrant promotion

The Cable networks owned by the company that publishes Time Magazine should stop promoting the magazine. Apparently they are too lazy to do what Time Magazine's writers do so they just copy. No one cares who Time thinks are deserving to be on their list of 100s. Those interested would subscribe. STOP STOP STOP

--
Regards,
John Jenkins
865-803-8179  cell
Gatlinburg, TN

Email: jrjenki@gmail.com
Website: http://www.greenbriersolutions.com  
Blog: http://littlepigeon.blogspot.com/

"Hail to the Chief" was written for James Madison because he was so short that no one ever noticed when he entered the room.

Guilt or No Guilt

 

Hi Al,

 

You mentioned children today not feeling guilty for wrong behavior. It seems to me they have no reason to feel guilty and it is unrealistic for us to expect them to feel guilty. Any child of any age, with the click of a mouse, can see naked people performing sexual activities of all persuasions and "meet" complete strangers while in their own homes.

 

As you have mentioned you drove a school bus when you were sixteen years old. You had a legitimate purpose which most children today do not have. Purposes are devised by getting them to work at McDonalds or Burger King which serves no purpose other than to get money, get out of the house and away for the parents and encourage them to believe they can make it on their own and encourages them to believe they do not need their parents.

 

Throughout most of the 19th century, the minimum age of consent for sexual intercourse in many of the states was 10 years old. In Delaware it was seven; as late as 1930 twelve states allowed boys as young as 14 and girls as young as 12 to marry with parental consent.
The world has changed. The transition between childhood and adulthood is much longer today than it was less than one hundred years ago, when a boy proved himself a man when he could shoulder and share adult hardships, risks, and responsibility working side by side with his father in the fields. By the time he was a seasoned seventeen or eighteen, he was ready to start his own family. A girl became a woman by the time she reached childbearing age; fourteen or fifteen was often considered old enough to marry. The transition from childhood to adulthood was so short that adolescence---at least as the distinct stage of life we now consider it---hardly existed.

 

Today the traditional determinations of adulthood---the establishment of occupation and family---are routinely postponed until after college. With the period of childhood innocence seeming shorter and shorter, we've created a new ten-or-twelve-or-more-years-long designation, a no-man's land (or no-woman's land) we term adolescence. Over the past fifty-years or so, this new limbo-land life stage has become an extended period of awkward uncertainty.

 

Yesterday all a mother had to do to prepare her daughter was to teach her how to perform wifely and motherly functions and to cook and clean the house. All a father had to do was to apprentice his sons. Today they are pressured to accumulate tens-of-thousands or hundreds-of-thousands or dollars for college. Graduates are usually many thousands of dollars in debt before they find their first job.

 

We have stretched adolescence further than anytime in history. We are fighting, nature and hormones. We think we can succeed by recommending abstinence and saying don't do as I do but do as I say. It will not work.   

--
Regards,
John Jenkins
865-803-8179  cell
Gatlinburg, TN

Email: jrjenki@gmail.com
Website: http://www.greenbriersolutions.com  
Blog: http://littlepigeon.blogspot.com/

"Hail to the Chief" was written for James Madison because he was so short that no one ever noticed when he entered the room.

What About Malaria

The latest number from WHO is that 750 people worldwide have contracted the Swine flu. Based on world population that means there is less than  .0000001% chance that any one individual has the disease. Your chance of winning a one-hundred million dollar lottery are about 10,000 times better than that. On the other hand, 3000 people die each day of Malaria; where are the news headline on that? Do the pharmaceutical companies have a stake in promoting the Swine Flu panic; are the cable media that desparate for viewers; is Obama's Homeland Security Department trying to look like they are doing something?

--
Regards,
John Jenkins
865-803-8179  cell
Gatlinburg, TN

Email: jrjenki@gmail.com
Website: http://www.greenbriersolutions.com  
Blog: http://littlepigeon.blogspot.com/

"Hail to the Chief" was written for James Madison because he was so short that no one ever noticed when he entered the room.

Brutus

Julius Caesar:

 

BRUTUS: ...whether we shall meet again I know not.
Therefore our everlasting farewell take:
For ever, and for ever, farewell, ...!
If we do meet again, why, we shall smile;
If not, why then, this parting was well made.

O, that a man might know
The end of this day's business ere it come!
But it sufficeth that the day will end,
And then the end is known. 

Who Will Replace Justice Souter?

Attention all Conservatives!!! This is the 2008 election. Not Obama. Not McCain. But it was for the courts. President Obama's influence on the Supreme Court will remain long past his term or terms. Next time, instead of whining, support the candidate closest to your ideology. Limbaugh, Coulter, and Hannity have led you astray. Next time think for yourselves.

 

 

-
Regards,
John Jenkins
865-803-8179  cell
Gatlinburg, TN

Email: jrjenki@gmail.com
Website: http://www.greenbriersolutions.com  
Blog: http://littlepigeon.blogspot.com/

"Hail to the Chief" was written for James Madison because he was so short that no one ever noticed when he entered the room.