Quotes of Note

"Small minds have always lashed out at what they don't understand. There are those who create ...and those who tear down. That dynamic has existed for all time." Dan Brown, The Lost Symbol,

p. 503.

Another Attack on Free Speech

Contrary to what one might expect, The United Nations Human Rights Council, with the support of the Obama Administration, agreed to recognize exceptions to free speech for any "negative racial and religious stereotyping," sometimes referred to as "blasphemy laws." These laws would criminalize speech that denounces or attacks religious values or institutions. (Jonathan Turley, USA Today, 10/19/09)

Free Speech is the of bedrock of democracy. The fact that someone's religious sensibilities are offended by my opinions should not make me a criminal. This country was founded on the belief that its citizens are free to criticize and question leaders and institutions, including religious ones.

Why is it that so many people are so willing to curb free speech? Why should religion and race be exceptions to free speech? Who defines a "religion"? Who defines "blasphemy"? Are not such exceptions just another form of censorship? Why do religions need protection from criticism or satire? If I find someone's speech uncomfortable or inconvenient, do I not have options other than calling for censorship. If it is a crime to criticize a religion, is it also a crime to criticize a religious leader?

A Power Grab by Large Agribusiness

Vote NO on Ohio Issue 2 to stop the corporations who operate huge factory farms from writing the regulations which control their operations. They are asking us to vote for this constitutional amendment under the guise of "food safety," while in effect it would become a classic case of the fox guarding the hen house.

To make matters worse, Issue 2, if passed, would become a permanent change to the Ohio Constitution. It would create the Livestock Care Standards Board which would have unlimited power to set standards for the care of livestock and poultry.

As we already know, agribusiness favors huge factory farms in which animals are raised in cages--a situation that fosters the spread of diseases which in turn requires the over-use of antibiotics--leading to resistance in animals and humans. In addition, the large amounts of manure generated pollute the water and the air. And, of course, the smell is another matter.

Small farmers as well as environmental groups are opposing this issue while the large agribusiness corporations are spending tons of money to assure its passage.

Even if one has no problem with factory farms, this is something that should not be imbedded in our State of Ohio Constitution.

Quote of Note

"There is more to life than increasing its speed." Ghandhi

Nobel Literature Prize

Congratulations to Herta Mueller, German author persecuted by the Romanian Ceausescu regime for her depiction of life behind the Iron Curtain, who was awarded the Nobel Prize for Literature.

The voice of freedom somehow makes itself heard.

A Nation's Character

"To judge the content of a nation's character, look no further than its health-care system."

"All other industrialized democracies guarantee health care for everybody - young or old, rich or poor, native or immigrant."

"22,000 Americans die each year because they lack insurance; likewise, the U.S. is the only developed nation where medical bankruptcies occur."

Newsweek, 9/21/09

You Go, Sonia!

Not that this will surprise anyone, but it's worth noting: on her first day hearing a case on the Supreme Court, Justice Sonia Sotomayor asked more questions of the attorneys than Justice Clarence Thomas asked in several years. (McClatchy News)

In February, 2008, AP reported that Clarence Thomas had gone 2 years and 144 cases without speaking up during oral arguments. But then, why should he ask questions or pay attention to oral arguments, Justices Roberts and Alito will tell him how to vote later.

Thank you, President Obama, for giving our country a real Supreme Court Justice

Quote of Note

"...every vote against the public option is a vote for the insurance companies..." Shepard Smith of Fox News talking to John Barrasso (R-Wyo) on 9/7/09.

Yes, that's correct; he is on Fox News.

The Not-so-friendly Skies

Why are airlines charging more while the cost of fuel is decreasing? Answer 1: to make more money. Answer 2: because they can get away with it.

How are they doing this? By using a system of surcharges -- a system they discovered when fuel prices were increasing.

We all know about surcharges for checked bags, extra leg room, pillows & blankets, but now they have come up with a new one--a surcharge for holiday flights. At first it applied on just three or four days, but now they have expanded it to THIRTEEN days.

Soon there will be a seat-belt surcharge.

The Party of "No"

As has been observed many times, the GOP's strategy is to oppose any healthcare plan supported by Democrats. And, on the other hand, they have offered no serious healthcare proposal of their own.

As Alan Grayson (D-FL) remarked in reference to the GOP healthcare proposal, their plan is: "Don't get sick, and if you do get sick, die quickly."

They say they introduced 37 healthcare bills, but when questioned, GOP legislators don't know what is in these bills. They do not want to fix the healthcare mess; they like it as it is.