U.S. deficit will start to increase by 2016

On Tuesday, the Congressional Budget Office gave the forecast for the 2013 United States deficit. It projected the deficit would be equal to 4 percent of the American economic output. Democrats were very happy about the news, and White House Press Secretary Jay Carney made the announcement with a big smile.

The news may sound promising, but the U.S. deficit is projected to also take a turn in the other direction in less than 3 years. The Congressional Budget Office also  projected the U.S. deficit will start to increase by 2016, and continue on an upward path. According to Reuters, http://www.reuters.com/article/2013/05/20/us-usa-fiscal-debt-analysis-idUSBRE94J03H20130520?feedType=RSS&feedName=topNews
Paul Ryan, the chairman of the House Budget Committee, still calls it “a fresh reminder of Washington’s out of control spending”

In 2010 the United States had as much debt as the rest of the world had combined. Other countries do not have money to lend the U.S., so last year the Federal Reserve purchased nearly all the debt issued by the U.S.  The fact that the treatury Department would be willing to print money in order to cover the American debt is alarming The Republican-controlled House Budget Committee  is not budging in their attempt to cut back on government spending in order to avoid devastating results in the future. 

In 2010 the U.S. 94.3% of the nation’s GDP, this percentage is not far from the 115.1% that Greece has had to deal with.  Bloomberg http://www.bloomberg.com/news/2013-05-19/greece-isn-t-turning-the-corner.html reported yesterday that Greek unemployment reached a record 27 percent in February, with 1.3 million Greeks out of work and some 400,000 families that have nobody earning an income, and close to 300,000 workers waiting to be paid by their employers.

Russia supplying the Syrian Government, while the U.S. trains the rebels.

English: SOCHI. With President of Syria Bashar al-Assad. Русский: СОЧИ, БОЧАРОВ РУЧЕЙ. С Президентом Сирии Башаром Асадом. (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

U.S. officials are concerned about the increasing aid the Syrian Assad government has been receiving from Russia. According to Hindu.com,

Russia has delivered a new shipment of 290-km Yakhont missiles to the Syrian Assad Government.

In 2011, Russia had supplied the government 2 Yakhont missiles, and at the time had promised more. Along with the missiles, the Russian government also plans to supply the Assad Regime with S-300 advanced air defense systems. Russia has also deployed up to a dozen ships to its naval base in Syria, over the last few months. The fact that the Russians have decided to continue to supply the President Bashar al-Assad's regime, will mean that Russian firepower will be meeting U.S. firepower in the struggle for Syrian control. According to the New York Times,

The United States has also been training a select cadre of Syrian rebels in Jordan under  a covert program run by the C.I.A.”

The U.S. has admitted to sending 200 troops to Jordan, and is willing to send up to 20,000. Meanwhile, according to Reuters, President Barack Obama announced Friday that he would be cutting back on funding requests for the war in Afghanistan. This announcement comes as a surprise to military personal, who have reported an increase in violence in Afghanistan targeting westerners in the past few weeks. NATO forces were targeted last May 16 in a suicide blast that killed 2 U.S. troops, and on May 5, 2013, 8 soldiers from an American-led military coalition were killed by roadside bombs and firearms in Kabul, Afghanistan.
The Syrian conflict is of greater concern to the Israeli government, who has not admitted to, but is suspected of, being behind the bombing of the Syrian Jamraya Research Center on May 5, 2013, in an effort to stop Hezbollah from getting advanced weapons. According to CNN, this attack prompted the Arab League Secretary-General Nabil Elaraby, to ask the United Nations Security Council to 'move immediately in order to stop and prevent Israeli attacks on Syria.'

The New York Times reports that it is estimated that close to 1.5 million people have fled the conflict, and most have fled to Jordan and Lebanon. They also report that Syria's national production has dropped by 40% and the number of people living below the poverty line has risen from two million to five million in just two years"

 as seen on examiner

The IRS adds more scandals to its list

Seal of the United States Internal Revenue Service. The design is the same as the Treasury seal with an IRS inscription. (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

A class action suit was filed on March 11 in California, by Robert Barnes against the Internal Revenue Service for stealing and improperly accessing 60 million medical records. On March 11, 15 IRS agents raided a California company, only known in the law suit as the “John Doe Company”, in an attempt to confiscate information related to an employee that no longer worked there. The medical records belong to over 10 million Americans, most of whom live in California. The list includes members of the Screen Actors Guild, Director’s Guild, state employees, and includes both prominent and ordinary citizens.

The complaint states that these medical records had no relevance to the IRS search, and accuses the IRS agents of seizing the documents against their wishes, and regardless of the objection and warnings of company executives. The IRS agent’s conduct in the investigation is also being questioned in the law suit, because of their casual use of the company’s offices to watch basketball and eat pizza during their raid.

The law suit was filed by Barnes in the San Diego Superior court, and alleges that the IRS violated the privacy rules found in the 1996 Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act, HIPAA. Medical records were not the only private items seized. According Nextgov.com, The agents also took personal mobile phones belonging to employees.

The “John Doe Company” seeks $25,000 in damages “per violation per individual” who’s records were taken, the return of the documents, and government assurances that there will be no retained copies of the private material.

There is a second law suit being filed against the IRS by the National Organization for Marriage (NOM).  NOM alleges that the IRS released confidential information from their 2008 tax returns to their reform issue opponents: the Human Rights Campaign, who then posted the information on their public website. The private information included a donor list; among the donors was Mitt Romney. 

Congressional Committee and Justice Department IRS investigations will continue in the following weeks on matters related to allegations that the IRS targeted conservative organizations in giving greater scrutiny when they applied for non profit exemption.

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IRS Commissioner, Steven Miller resigns

IRS building on Constitution Avenue in Washington, D.C.. (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

Washington, D.C. - Steven Miller, IRS Commissioner, announced his resignation today.  In a press conference this evening, President Barack Obama said he was “angry” about the allegations that the IRS was targeting conservative or tea party groups to be reviewed with greater scrutiny when applying for non-profit eligibility. Steven Miller held very important tax exempt related positions prior to being assignment the highest position in the Internal Revenue Service.

Prior to his appointment as Commissioner of Internal Revenue, he served as the “Commissioner of the Tax Exempt and Government Entities Division.” In this position his job included overseeing the administration of  “tax law” related to tax-exempt organizations. He also served as the “Director of Exempt Organizations”, with former positions in the same department as assistant. Steven Miller also served as a Congressional staff member for the Joint Committee on Taxation.

The Justice Department will be investigating the matter further, and several congressional committees have been created to address the issue. This Friday the House Ways and Means Committee, the Housecommittee in charge of the nation’s tax writing, will hold hearings this Friday and order several IRS employees named in Inspector General’s Audit, to testify. According to Fox New,s the Republican-led committee wants to start hearings on Monday interviewing Holly Paz, an  IRS director, John Shafer, a manager, Gary Murhert, a screener; Liz Hofacre, a case coordinator, and Joseph Herr, a manager.

According to the Washington Post, along with the House Ways and Means Committee’s investigation, Senator Max Baucus says the Senate Finance Committee will also investigate the IRS’s targeting of conservative groups, as will the Government Reform Committee.

According to the Tea Party, evangelist Franklin Graham sent a letter to President Obama on Tuesday, notifying him that he believed Christian charities had also been targeted by the IRS, along with the conservative groups. There are two groups he mentions, the Samaritan’s Purse, and the Billy Graham Evangelistic Association, both had been subjects of an IRS probe during the 2012 campaign season.

Conservatives are pointing to the fact that Obama’s brother, Abon’ go Malik Obama was able to obtain tax exempt status for “The Barack H. Obama Foundation” immediately and through what they believe was preferential treatment. The foundation, which states is dedicated to a “wide array of development and humanitarian projects” received tax exempt approval in a month according to Fox News , while conservative organizations waited up to three years, and some are still waiting. In addition, the foundation had a 501(c)(3) tax exempt status made “retroactive to 2010.“ The foundation's website actively collects donations, but does not fully explain how the money is allocated.
as seen on examiner

Prince Harry tours the U.S.

English: Prince Harry at a 2009 charity match at , London. (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

Prince Harry was joined by Michelle Obama today to honor military mothers. He was greeted at the White House for an event that honored the sacrifices made by military troops and their families, and commemorating Mother's Day. The gathering included children who had worked hard making Mother's Day presents, and a reception with a guest list of 170 mothers, grandmothers and children.
His visit to the White House was followed by a tour of Capital Hill. in the heart of Washington D.C. The prince was more than welcomed in the Capitol; he was met with cheers and applause from the crowd that had gathered to catch a glimpse of the very popular royal. Harry was able to tour a landmine exhibition in Congress which gave him many memories of his mother, who was a leader in the fight to rid the world of landmines. The prince is also expected to attend a dinner at the residence of Sir Peter Westmacott, the British ambassador to the U.S.

This Friday Prince Harry will be visiting Arlington National Cemetery, and will also be visiting the sick and injured at Walter Reed National Military Medical Center. This will be followed by a flight to Colorado for the Warrior Games in Colorado Springs, that will be hosted from May 11-16. The event is held for wounded or ill service members who compete in a range of sports including: volleyball; cycling; shooting and wheelchair basketball. There are five U.S. armed forces teams, joined by a British squad in this annual competition.

Prince Harry will also visit areas that were devastated by Hurricane Sandy in New Jersey. That trip will be followed by a visit to New York City in a tour that supports the “Great Campaign," a government initiative which promotes the U.K. around the world. The prince will end his tour by playing in the Sentebale Polo Cup match in Greenwich, Conn., on Wednesday.
Harry is following in the footsteps of his late mother, Princess Diana, as patron of the Halo Trust, whose purpose is to remove the debris left behind by war, the organization is commemorating its 25th Anniversary this year.

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Death for the "Death Saint"

Saint Death (Santa Muerta) (Photo credit: ShiraleeS)

Cardinal Gianfranco Ravasi, in charge of the Vatican’s Pontifical Council for Culture, has denounced the Death Saint worshipped by a cult that reveres death.  In Spanish the Saint is called “Holy Death” or “Santa Muerta.” The Idol representing this saint is a female’s skeleton wrapped in a shawl and some hold bladed scepters. This cult dates back to the period of SpanishColonization, when the tradition of honoring saints was first used to the native cultures. Many who pray to Santa Muerta make altars in her honor, and pray to receive wishes granted.  The issue is that they are praying to death and according to the Vatican it “degenerates the religion.” Cardinal Ravasi said that the saint does not represent religion and is blasphemous against religion.

Cardinal Ravasi said the practice was "anti-religious". "Religion celebrates life, but here you have death," he said. The danger lies in those who practice it, since this death theme has turned the cult to practice black magic. Eight people were arrested last year in Mexico for the murder of two boys and a woman in a sacrificial ritual. The victim were held down on an alter and cut them draining them of blood until their death.

The ancient practice of sacrificing humans goes way back to early American history in the Central and South American tribes. According to historical accounts, “The Aztecs would give a series of rituals to unlucky nearby tribesman to be sacrificed with an obsidian knife, and donate their blood to Acolnahuacatl, an Aztec god. When they knew he had finished his drink and he was no longer thirsty, they would end the sacrificing. This ritual would go on for a whole weekend, so as to please the god."


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Israel Outraged over the honoring of Islamic Terrorist Abu Jihad and Israel Divestment on a Rise

A United Nation's sponsored contribution to the Ansar al-Quds Club for a soccer tournament, that honored Abu Jihad, last month has caused many Israelis to wonder if the United Nations is taking sides on the Israeli-Palestine crisis.  The United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), sponsored a West Bank soccer tournament in April that honored a notorious terrorists.....................................The "Israel divestment" is a movement that is gaining force. Some may see it as anti-Semitic in it's nature. The group and it's movement hope the international community boycotts industries doing business with Israel. This would truly cripple the Israeli economy and put the nation under greater risks, nonetheless last week UC Berkeley joined those boycotting Israel....
...click here to read full story

Florida's new No Texting and Driving Law soon to be passed

Florida is rushing to get out a "no texting while you drive" law. It passed through the Florida Senate with ease, and the Florida House of Representatives will most likely pass it next week. The reason it has passed to quickly, is that it is an easy and comprehensive law that starts slow in its introduction. First, if you break the law it won't cost you that much, second everybody in Florida seems to want this law, it's just that they all want to break it too.

We have seen the commercials played over and again about someone's loved one that has died because they were driving and texting. They make sure to hit home by letting you know the deceased "last words." Historically, unless you are at someone's dying bed, or with them at the exact time a horrific accident or purposeful death happens, you're not going to hear someone's last words. Today's technology brings even death's words to those already grieving.

I find myself doing it, especially in the town I live in, where 3 minute lights are the norm. Could you imagine how it would be like when the law tightens, and it will. We'll have police officers on the beat for our clicks.
This the break down of the law:
A - A cop can't pull you over just for that, you have to be making another infringement of the law. This is similar to how they introduced the seat belt laws
B - The first offense is $3. I guess they suspect a lot of young people taking a ticket or two to get in the habit of not doing it

Venezuelan recounts Smartmatic machine votes, Will the U.S. be next?

Many Venezuelan-Americans are praying hard this week in hopes that a recount of votes can either remove Nicolas Maduro from power, or minimally allow for a new election. The Venezuelan National Electoral Board (CNE) promises to make a partial audit of the April 14 election that allegedly gave Maduro a marginal victory.

The Venezuelan President of CNE, Tibisay Lucena has not promised to count all the ballots, if anything he says it's impossible to approve the type of request that Henrique Capriles has asked for, and he considers it beyond his jurisdiction legally to do so. Part of the voting system used was Smartmatic, the same electronic voting system used in the U.S. America should keep a close eye on the difficulties Venezuela is facing in validating their votes, because we may see ourselves dealing with similar issues. Henrique Capriles, and his supporters feel that the Venezuelan election was either manipulated or faulty. He has asked for a recount of all the votes, promising to take the issue to the Venezuelan Supreme Court where he plans to demand a new election.

The electronic voting system Smartmatic, has a thumbprint reader, but scrambles the order of votes, so there's no way of knowing where the votes came from. Smartmatic is having more than one security issue. Smartmatic was used in Manila, Philippines in 2010, and the votes were reported from districts that didn't even exist. The fact that the United States uses the same voting system should given many alarm. Earlier this year, the United States Commission of Elections, better known as Comelec, decided to use the machines for upcoming elections regardless of all the glitches. Do we really want to have another "disputed" election? Although Comelec has decided not to use the thumb mark, it will continue to still use the company's faulty CF compact flash (CF) hard system, which has been known to have problematic issues.

In 2012, when used here in the U.S., Smartmatic had to replace 76,000 of them because they were not configured properly. Why is Comelac so tied to Smartmatic? Well there is one company that wants to know, LDLA Marketing, a company who lost their bid for the CF cards, filed a petition against Comelec and filed it with the U.S. Supreme court. The company leaders feel that Comelec has played favorites to Smartmatic in the public bidding for the compact flash CFs. As far as Venezuela is concerned, the critics doubt there will be any changes in leadership as a result of the voting recount, but at least it exposes frailties in the Smartmatic system that Comelec should review, or the U.S. will pay for the consequences. Our nation is divided as it is, any disputed major election would only separate the country more.

Hyeonseo Lee tells the story of her escape from North Korea

Every now and then we hear a poignant story about someone’s escape from Communism. We often forget what that type of economic and government system brings to a society. There was a time when the word itself brought apprehension and fear. This is a story of a young women, Hyeonseo Lee, who escaped into and out of Communism China and North Korea. She was able to finally escape to freedom. In the hearts of many who do succeed, there is the seed of guilt, and a desire to help those they left behind.

Hyeonseo Lee's Personal story
FILMED FEB 2013 • POSTED MAR 2013 • TED2013

Hyeonseo Lee speaks out for those who can’t in her native country of North Korea. She tells of how pride and programming work well in indoctrinating a society.  In fighting for freedom, she almost lost her life, but never lost perspective or hope. Today, for example, Communist China’s economic health is feared more than its economic demise. We were taught Communism doesn't work. It doesn't for those still living in China’s peasantry. Those who once believed a great communist leadership would lead them out of misery. Instead, the same hardships they faced in the past still exist.

The story of Communist North Korea is a sad one. We can remember the joy the world felt when Germany was reunited, and in a way the world feels the same about North and South Korea. They were once one nation and one people. Divided by other countries, against their will, and assimilated into different cultures; North Korea’s intense discipline opposing the South’s thirst for freedom.

 As seen on Examiner.com

Pakistan leaders arrest and isolate Musharraf

Pervez Musharraf, former President of Pakistan is facing prosecution. Last week he returned to Pakistan, after a 4 year self-imposed exile in London. Instead of a welcome, he faced an arrested. According to the The New York Times, last Thursday, Musharraf sped out of the city courthouse in a black S.U.V., trying to avoid being arrested. He was nonetheless picked up by police on Friday at his home, and taken to central Islamabad before a magistrate, where he was formally charged with the unlawful detention of judges during his term as president in 2007. During his Presidency, he placed Pakistan on an "emergency rule", and had the country's Chief Justice, Mohammad Iftikhar Chaudhry, dismissed. According to the BBC, he is also suspect in two murders, the deaths of former Prime Minister Benazir Bhutto, and a tribal leader by the name of Nawab Akbar Khan Bugti. At this time, he has not been indicted for murder related charges.

The Islamabad magistrate ordered him to be kept in detention for 48 hours, to later be put before an anti-terrorism court. He is being held in a luxurious farmhouse, yet isolated with no access to staff or lawyers, according to The Express Tribune. The State Department has not issued any statements about Musharraf's arrest, mostly likely because of the U.S.'s shaky history with Pakistan. When 9/11 happened, the U.S. turned to Pakistan for assistance in capturing terrorists. Musharraf, who was President at the time, was very understanding, cooperative and receptive to to the idea; and of course U.S. financial backing was helpful in making the alliance possible. In a press conference with George W. Bush, both men are seen together in an effort to fight terrorism.

The President Bush News Conference
With President Pervez Musharraf of Pakistan

Musharraf’s term as President of Pakistan paralleled George Bush’s, he governed from 2001 to 2008, but unlike Bush, he took power through a military coup. Both presidents lost popularity towards the end of 2008, and Musharraf resigned as Pakistan's president to avoid the possibility of an impeachment from opponents.

Musharraf was able to keep equilibrium in his country when he was president. Most of the public had already suspected that Osama bin Laden was hiding in Pakistan after 9/11. So on one end, Musharraf was able to receive aid, money, and military equipment, for his country’s cooperation, yet ultimately he had the trump card: Osama bin laden. When bin Laden was caught and executed, it was clear that the former Pakistan president did not like it, neither did the Taliban. The Pakistan Taliban had vowed to assassinate Musharraf, and harbored resentment towards him since he seized power of Pakistan in 1999. Once Bin laden was captured and executed, he changed his supportive opinion, and in an interview with Morgan Pierce on CNN, he made it very clear that he perceived that act as an invasion of Pakistan.

Musharraf’s return to his homeland was fueled by his desire to return to politics, and he had hoped he could run for the presidency. He was declined the opportunity when he requested in March, and now he may pay the ultimate price for stepping forward at all. 

As published on Examiner.com

Boston Bombing effect on issues: Gun control -1, Immigration +2

City under siege
by National Guard

America has seen a horrendous scene play out in the last few days. Citizens being asked to stay indoors, while others are removed from their home by police, some with babies and blankets in hand. This played out in an effort to search for the Boston Marathon bombing suspect still at large. Anytime citizens are held at gun point for any reason, they tend to think one thing: “Am I safe?” Feeling weak and “under the gun” makes anyone think of ways to protect themselves. There is really only one way to you can be protected from a gun, and that’s by having your own.

The announcement that the Senate has hit a road block in its gun control law negotiations, has hit the President even harder, and made a deep dent in his passionate fervor to push for the legislation. So not only does the President go from a plus one, at the point he had a bipartisan compromise to discuss the legislation; he now gets a negative, for losing it. He receives a second negative for the fact that Americans who have guns, want to keep them now more than ever. The media showing armed militia men in suburbia didn't make them "lean forward."

Immigration on the other hand, went from a plus one; simply for the fact that the legislation started from the onset through a bipartisan initiation to a plus two. Boston has changed matters now that the media and law enforcement have verified that the “loose” immigration laws we have, allowed a non-U.S. Citizen leave the United States, return in a few months; then is red flagged as a possible Muslim terrorist, yet was never stopped from walking among us like a regular patriot loving American. If there was ever a major reason to support immigration reform, this is it.

Immigration needs to be addressed, and now more than ever. Without stepping too far into the politically incorrect, let’s face it, many terrorist Muslims can look Hispanic. We have unsecured Mexican and Canadian borders. Even hopping on a plane and entering the United States is not hard to do. The overwhelming focus in airport security is on stopping a bomb from going off on a plane, or not letting a high jacking occur. Maybe it’s time to look at our immigration laws: work visas, student visas, and travel permits. Our new proposed immigration laws are still on the table; so the score stands: Gun Control -1, Immigration +2.

Boston shut down: Manhunt for 'Jahar", Dxhokhar A. Tsarnaev, 19

The FBI is on a manhunt for the second suspect of the Boston Marathon bombing. One suspect was apprehended, but died at Beth Israel Deaconess Hospital.  The suspect names have been released. They are brothers from Chechnya: Dxhokhar A. Tsarnaev, 19 and Tamerlan Tsarnaev, 26.  The older of the two is the suspect apprehended and now deceased. The police and investigators are trying to find any and all connections known about the subject at large, who is known to be from Chechnya and attended an American high school with Eric Machado. Machado was interviewed this morning by CNN. He explained he was in shock, and that the suspect showed no signs of violence, nor had any of his friends suspected that he would be involved in such a crime. He was described as a student attending the University of Amherst, and had worked as a life guard at Harvard University, according to Machado.

Yesterday, the FBI released pictures of the two men suspected of having being involved in the bombing. In the FBI photos, of the two, the suspect still at large is the one wearing the white baseball cap. Late Wednesday night, at around 10:20 pm, there was a shootout at Massachusetts Institute of Technology, resulting in the death of an MIT police officer. This incident was followed by a police chase, resulting from a call informing them of a Mercedes Benz SUV carjacking. The car jack victim was held at gun point for half an hour until released by the suspects. The suspects took off in the stolen car, and a police car chase followed them into the town of Watertown, Massachusetts. 

According to press releases issued early this morning by Police Commissioner Robert Haas, Middlesex District Attorney Michael Pelgro, and MIT Police Chief John Difava, the police chase led to the men throwing explosives out of the stolen car, and an exchange of gun fire. One of the suspects was injured and taken to Beth Israel Deaconess Hospital. He later died from his wounds. In a press conference early this morning, Dr. David Schoenfeld answered questions about the deceased man. He disclosed that the victim suffered shrapnel injuries and died of multiple gun shot wounds.

Police officers and FBI agents are on the manhunt for the second man that fled the scene of the shoot out. Chief John Difava spoke in an early morning press conference confirming that the suspect they are searching for in the Watertown area, is the same man wearing the white cap in the FBI photos released earlier today. Earlier this morning, Watertown officials asked residents to stay indoors, while law enforcers started performing door to door searches in the east side of the town. This search has now been expanded to all of the Boston area, with the public school system, public transportation, and airports being been shut down.

FBI: Video of suspect
www.fbi.org/

Black Tie Yacht: The 'gun control' parties are over

A yacht owned in part by Senator Joe Manchin, Democrat from West Virginia, had been the host to parties and get-togethers for senators debating the proposed gun legislation. The boat, named the "Black Tie" was docked on National Harbor, near Washington D.C.; making it an easy access after a long day at the office. With alcohol and parties at night, and beautiful sun filled fun during the day; this yacht had become the hang out for Senate members that had crossed over in favor of gun control legislation.

Senator Mark Kirk, Republican from Illinois, had spoken out to disclose this new negotiation method, giving a new definition to what Machin calls “breaking the ice”. He’s not shy to say it worked, Kirk broke away from his parties ideologies to join forces with the Democrat proposed gun control laws. With yacht parties, and a final bash that included TV host Joe Scarborough, the deal was sealed .

Announcing the deal were, Senator Joe Machin (D-W.Va) and Senator Pat Toomey (R-Penn.). They emphasized that the new gun laws would keep criminals and the mentally ill from getting firearms. They also agreed on having a commission on violence. Clearly a compromise creating more government jobs. It’s interesting that they agreed to debate, when this law has so much more to do than Senate views. It also has to do with the House of Representatives. It is not often that you see a senator get a national platform to speak for his legislation, so there is always a senator willing to change policies, or take the lead in just about any issue in order to gain some notoriety. Nothing is sweeter than their attempts being successful.

What a fail! Some senators have jeopardized their career for a boat party and fifteen minutes of fame. The gun legislation has failed to do what it intended to do. The major issue: background check, didn't pass the test. There are not enough senators agreeing to allow this section of the legislation to go through. The compromising senators must now face their next election knowing they will have disgruntled constituents. The President has openly announced that he feels betrayed. It is not that the public does not want background checks, it is true that the majority do. It seems that it is more about trusting the government. World events have promoted fear. National uprisings and dictatorships around the globe remind Americans of the reasoning behind the 2nd Amendment.

Boston attack still a mystery; meanwhile back in North Korea

Boston Marathon Bomb
http://www.theweek.co.uk/

America was attacked, but by who? The news stations are flooded with the events and aftermath of the Boston Marathon bombing. There have been victims interviewed and the scene and evidence under FBI analysis. The reason so many are on pins in needles is that there is no answer as to why and who did this.

The bomb is not unique. The bomb may even be able to be traced. There have been three casualties to this tragedy, and one of them was a Chinese female national. We don’t know her name or why we don’t. Her family has requested that her name not be mentioned. When has the media ever really cared, or when has a leak not happened?  Is this a sanctioned secret. Understandably so, with all that is happening in North and South Korea today, no Chinese national would like to have their name in the media.

If it is subsequently found that the North Koreans, or an individual North Korean was responsible for this tragedy, then that would mean that any Chinese nationals here in the United States would be fearful of just about everything. We know that China will try to help calm North Korea and their leader’s rhetoric, but we also know it will defend it. If China has to choose sides, it will not be the side of the Americans.

South Korea Demonstrates 4-15-13
http://blogs.defensenews.com/intercepts/2013/04/photo-of-the-day-april-15-2013/

Yesterday South Korean’s took to the streets in an abrasive demonstration against the North Korean lead, Kim Jong-un. The young leader did not appreciate this, and sent out his next warning that he will not notify South Korea, nor warn it of an eminent attack. It is possible that the young ruler feels he has been held back, and missed on the great “anniversary” celebration opportunity and may be willing to give a display of force. Nothing more than a missile test should be expected, but with loose cannon Kim, you never know.

Obama vs. Rubio "gun control and immigration"

A defining legal battle is at hand. The first is Obama's battle for gun control. He has traveled the nation, gathered supporters, and putting victims front and center in his quest. Convincing the House of Representatives as well, will lead him further into his battle, entertaining his time and efforts. On the other battle front, we have Marco Rubio's fight for a bi-partisan immigration law. The two are simultaneously allying for different causes. Who will be success in their battles, is yet to be seen.

Obama has the support of many in his fight, and the distraction is much needed during a time when our economy continues to struggle, and enemies threatening our borders with nuclear weapons. Marco Rubio has chosen his battle, and will try hard to win it with bipartisan participation. They call them the "Gang of Eight."  Marco Rubio has made the network station rounds, and spoke on behalf of the main points to his proposed legislation, and the word is getting out. Mr. Rubio is making sure that he makes a name for himself during his senate tenure, in order to contrast Obama's one term as senator, where many criticized  him for his lack of attendance and leadership.

Although the battles are different, they may be one in the same. Democrat leader vs. Republican leader. Who can make legislation happen? Who works better through bipartisan means? Who is successful as a leader? Many Democratic law makers who come from rural districts, are hesitant to jump on board the gun control wagon. The immigration fight may be a better alternative. It can definitely help the Democrat in Capital Hill that needs to shy away from supporting the President's fight. Not only has Marco Rubio initiated his proposal through bipartisan means, he has also done it all with little water to drink at hand, much to the dismay of his opponents.

It is understood why the Democrats are desperately trying to start a similar gun control bill through the House of Representative and make the law pass quicker. Rubio is starting from the ground up in the Senate for his immigration bill, while the President is already resolving a possible bipartisan compromise in the Senate for his gun control bill. Rubio needs to do the same if he plans to succeed. In our legislative branch, we have a lot of "compromising", or "I'll do this, if you do that". By the time the gun control bill hits the House of Representatives, it will be harder for Rubio to get Democrat lawmaker votes for his immigration bill, "unless" some Republicans sign the gun control legislature; and the battles then are taken to war.

North Korea and Iran show each other love.

North Korea Nuclear Test Site
http://bigstory.ap.org/photo/north-korea-nuclear-test-site-0

Last fall, North Korea and Iran made a scientific-cooperation pact. Back in 2002, North Korea signed a similar pact with Syria. Today, North Korea is threatening the United States with a nuclear war. This holds true to the statement, "the enemy of my enemy is my friend." North Korea does not have much in common with neither Iran, nor Syria, with the exception of one thing; both Iran and North Korea have been fighting it out with the world in order to possess nuclear technology.

This week, Iran unveiled its secret uranium mines and processing facilities. Did the agreement between North Korea and Iran include a uranium exchange, as well as a "scientific" exchange?  If this is the case, we may see this growing incident with North Korea have greater repercussions than the world may have first thought it would. Even though North Korea's leader, Kim Jong Un, is a young leader, he comes from a family with a long history. He was raised seeing both his father and grandfather lead North Korea's communist regime. His father, he saw make continual threats towards countries that had tried to reign in North Korea's advances in nuclear technology. Each time, this young leader had to see his mentors back down, or find a way to avoid carrying out actions to match their rhetoric. He may think it's time to change that.

Today, or tomorrow, but soon, we will be at war, if you believe the young ruler's words.  Either way, the United States' promises, as well, can't be ignored. The United States has promised to protect South Korea and Japan in case of any attack. If North Korea forces war on the United States, it will then make the United States choose to either enter decisively, or risk American casualties.

National Autism Day

I am so happy to hear that there are finally studies showing what I learned so long ago. When a child is speech delayed or autistic, a one to one study is the vehicle out of their despair. When my son was about two years old, he started saying a few words, and then suddenly it stopped. He started doing repetitive behavior, turning the lights on and off, or taking a pen and whirling it. I became worried. I wondered if he was autistic. With great fear and apprehension, I contacted the county for testing. When the testing was finished, the counselor said he was a year and a half speech delayed, but there were no signs of autism. I was so relieved. We were asked to take him to speech class twice a week, where we would be able to monitor the instruction from a one way mirror. There really wasn't much progress, and I felt I needed to act.

I put my career aside and started teaching my son at home. Before long, he knew shapes, he loved numbers, but no talking. After a year of county therapy, we had a final meeting and they advised me to put my son in the early school program for exceptional students. As a teacher I knew exactly what that meant. I tried to explain to the supervisor that he was able to understand, and I knew that he could learn. She quite coldly turned to me and said., "He can't talk". I picked up my papers and exited saying, "No thank you, and goodbye." I kept teaching my son, he loved numbers so much that with the few words he learned, he was doing excellent work. I started looking for the perfect daycare for him, that had instruction as well. I must have visited over twenty schools.

I found the perfect one. It was Baptist School with kind teachers, yet my son at three years old, had to be placed with the two year olds. He still wasn't potty trained, and after a year in this school, they would not advance him to his own age group until he was. His father wanted to send him to a psychologist. I said no. The following weekend, I put us both in the bathroom, and I read to him, and read to him, as he sat. We stayed there all weekend until he finally went. This little four year old boy cried tears of happiness. He knew he had done it. From that day on, he never went potty anywhere else.

Finally, it was time for him to enter the school system. I put him in Kindergarten; what a horrible experience for my son. He was picked on by the teacher because she saw his lack of immediate response as a discipline issue. Giving him smiley or sad faces in a book, depending on his behavior. I had enough. I pulled him out. I decided he would be home schooled. He excelled so quickly it was amazing. I was so proud. I didn't want to give up on letting him go to school, because I knew he needed socializing, so when he was ready for first grade, I put him back in school. He was still somewhat immature and delayed. What a difference a teacher makes! She knew something was "different" about him, so she asked if for 12 weeks, once a week, he could step out for observational therapy, I agreed. By the end of the session, the psychologist told me there was absolutely nothing wrong with my son, if anything  he was a delight.

For second and third grade, I decide to teach at a Catholic school, were I could take my son with me and monitor his progress. He flourished, by the fourth grade I put him back in the public school system, and in fourth grade he received the school's highest FCAT math score. He started learning Karate, playing soccer, learning the guitar, and making friends. He is still shy, but gets straight As in school. Once I was able to help, I let go, every and each grade he as earned from that point on, he has earned on his own, I don't even help him with his homework. He is a delight! He is my love! ..and he's doing just fine!

by Marilyn Daly

Hilary's Nightmare on Pennsylvania Avenue

When the Kennedys endorsed Obama in January 2008, to Hilary Clinton, it was a slap in the face, and it looks like she may be slapped again. Caroline Kennedy may soon be tapped to be the United States' Ambassador to Japan. Why would she come forth as a political figure this late in the game? During Obama's campaign, the Kennedys were not only supportive, but they actually became admirers. Caroline herself commented that Obama made her realize why the public had been so inspired by her father.

Although Hilary Clinton did not receive any such endorsement from the Kennedys, she agreed to be Secretary of State under the Obama administration. She just stayed away. According to the State Department Hilary Clinton is the most-traveled Secretary of State in our history. During her tenure as Secretary of State, she visited 112 countries, traveled 956,733 miles and spending 401 days on the road, not to mention the others days she was meeting, negotiating. preparing, and reporting. Her separation from the Obama administration was probably the only way she could stomach being part of his team. If she wanted to run for president one more time, she needed to stay relevant, so this position would not only add foreign affairs credentials to her resume, but it would also allow her to keep away from the biggest governmental issue: the economy. Most irritating to her must have been the president's decision to make healthcare more important; universal health care was Ted Kennedy's biggest quest as senator and Obama made sure he paid homage.

It was Bill Clinton, Hilary's husband and former president, that had to take the hit for her. He served as a supporter of Obama, campaigning hard for him. Why Democrats did not shout out "betrayal", towards the once impeached president? We don't know. Why wasn't he shouted at in the Democratic Convention as a "gay hater", since he passed the Defense of Marriage Act? We don't know. Why were the needy and poor advocates not standing up against him, since Clinton signed the Welfare Reform Bill that ended federal aid guarantees, imposing a five-year limit on benefits, and required healthy recipients to go to work after two years? We don't know. What we do know is that the wind of ignorance seems to blow towards the Democratic Party. If you can be easily swayed with rhetoric, or you know how to mimic a phrase or two, like a magnet this party will draw you.

Now we may be seeing a new ambassador to Japan, a Kennedy no less. If Caroline Kennedy ran against Hilary Clinton for president, does anyone have an opinion on who may win? I think we all know the answer to that question. What a nightmare for Hilary, to think she almost had the office of the Presidency, and it was taken by a fast running candidate sneaking up behind her in the race. This was followed by her joining an administration who's policies she had to tolerate, yet she pays her dues working non stop as Secretary of State, only to possibly be denied and betrayed once again by her political party and it's machine. 

The state of the "union" and the Supreme Court

This is the first significant hearing by the Supreme Court in a long time: whether to allow for "gay marriage" in the United States or not. Right? No, actually that's wrong. It is clear that our Constitution provides equality under the Fourteenth Amendment. It states that no "State" can deny a person "equal protection." The fact is that the 14th Amendment being reviewed, is not as common as many would think. It has been used in oral arguments only a few times in our history. The Civil Rights movement relied heavily on its interpretation, and most likely the reason why many think it's the cure for all "protections" under the law. It can definitely fall short.

So here we are in the United States, having President Clinton sign the 1996 Defense of Marriage Act, that defines marriage as a union between a man and a woman. This federal statute will create an obstacle. Another hurdle is that the Supreme Court will have to deal with the reality that 31 states have passed constitutional amendments banning same sex marriages, and another 5 have passed state laws banning the same.
What a quandary; on the one hand, ALL people need to be protected, yet on the other, there seems to be a big fight to protect the word "marriage" and its meaning.

Part I 
The Supreme Court should not deny the LGBT community equal protection under our laws. Gay couples everywhere and anywhere should be able to unite in love. This will also give the LGBT community many other rights associated with their fight, like spousal and insurance benefits. Their love can be a union, and they may unite in marriage; they can celebrate their union with a union ceremony, or through the courts or both. Allowing LGBT couples that love each other to join in union, provides the group with the protections that are part of our system, requiring that all citizens be treated equally under the law.

Part II
The word marriage has already been defined. It will then be a union.
Using simple logic like this, maybe it can be understood. When African-Americans asked for equality, after a long fight, it was granted by the Supreme Court that this group should be protected under the law, and that they be given the same rights as the white population.
       African Americans could have gone further and asked:
       "We also don't want to be called black anymore, we want to be called white."
I am sure the Supreme Court would have stopped at ruling yes to that. "White" defines what it defines, and a definition, or changing a definition, will not provide anything. People will use words at will. It is more the protection that whites had, that blacks wanted. As such, the LGBT community wants the same protection, that does not mean the courts will redefine a word already embedded with a meaning given to it by the states.

Opinion: 
The Supreme Court should do the right thing and protect the rights of the LGBT community.
If the LGBT community pushes to get marriage to include them, it may very well backfire. Since the U.S. only needs 38 states to pass a Constitutional Amendment (Amendment 28 to be exact), and already 36 States have passed marriage defining laws, it wouldn't be such a far reach to get to 38. If this were to happen, and a U.S. Constitutional Amendment is added defining the word marriage, the discussion would be over, and to overturn this amendment would take a great amount of effort and time.

Although the LGBT community will see many changes and new privileges if they are granted unions, there will also still exist restrictions. Under our laws, when a child is adopted, the court has to act as "parens patriae", this means the courts must act in the best interest of the child. If studies show that allowing for the adoption of a child by a gay couple, is not the "best" situation, then the LGBT battle will continue.

by: Marilyn Daly