Florida Constitutional Amendments

The wording of the Amendments up for vote on the Ballot is like the Emperor's New Clothes: No one wants to admit it is entirely perplexing, lest one seem the simpleton. However, I fear for democracy that I, a well-read learned adult with advanced degrees, cannot understand the Amendments as they are worded on the Ballot.

Stop the insanity: state the Amendments in plain English for regular people. Otherwise democracy is surely impeded.

Raunch Culture relates to marriage stats

The statistics show that married adults are now in the minority (49.7%). This phenomenon has profound effects for our social structure and how future generations will understand their lives.

Research has consistently shown that everyone wants to get married: That goal has never faltered. Yet fear of divorce and changing social mores have stalled the trip to the altar. Ironically, couples who "test drive" marriage by moving in together first are more likely not to get married, and if they do, these couples are more likely to divorce.

Suspiciously, the rise of "Raunch Culture" coincides with the decrease in households with married couples. It seems that when women allow men to "sit on the fence" about marriage, objectify women’s bodies with no consequence, and stay adolescent forever, men will.

Marriage requires the hero's journey. It is a sacrifice not to “a ball and chain,” but rather to a conscious life freely chosen and fully embraced. Are most men today willing to take up the gauntlet? And are most women today settling for a boy, not a man?

The Democrats’ Opportunity

How the Democrats Can Step Up - washingtonpost.com

Dear Mr. Ignatius,

What a delight it was to read your deeply insightful piece called “The Democrats’ Opportunity” today in my St. Pete Times. You describe, for the first time in the national discourse, exactly the issues we are facing and the dearth of leadership regarding these points.

I am pessimistic, however, that the Democrats will present a clear alternative emphasizing real change towards accountability, basic ethics, and cooperation, because they’ve failed to communicate a coherent statement on Iraq and general foreign policy in a post 9-11 world. Further, democrats failed to win the Presidency in 2002 because regular American democrats were not necessarily “For Kerry,” we were merely “For Anyone but Bush.” The reason Americans were not “For Kerry” was because he did not have a clearly communicated USP, or what we call in marketing, “Unique Selling Proposition.” A USP is something the people want, but are not getting, and can not get, someplace else. This makes the alternative clear and attractive.

Is the Democratic platform clear and attractive? No. The Democrats are being fed by the same hands of corruption in Washington. Democrats are getting more of a “pay-off” to stay mired in corruption and confused. Please see Moyer on America on PBS for the in-depth report on Abrahamoff/DeLay scandal.

Also, see my letter in the Times…

Politicos, Where is the Leadership?

The 2008 elections for President of the United States are just two years away, but where is the leadership we the people deserve? Who, from either party, is standing up to say...

"The Iraq War may or may not be a distraction from the real war on terrorist hot spots, still we are firmly committed to success there. Since we are already committed to success in Iraq, let's give our troops the ability to actually finish the job: Let's give the generals everything they need to do their job.

At the same time, let us fight a sophisticated, allied, war on terror. Let us not only bomb, but infiltrate ideas. Let us introduce Arab teens to rational influences. Let us not only invade, but channel economic incentives and pressures to align with our goals. Let us rebuild strong ties with the free world again and stop funding terrorism through buying terrorists' oil."

Where is this politician? Who is this leader that will unite America again? And when can meet this next president?

Mama, Don't Let Your Boyfriend Baby-sit

A mother's boyfriend was sentenced to life in prison last week for killing
the mother's 2-year old daughter while babysitting. In another case, Eric
Tate has recently been charged with capital sexual battery after he raped
and killed his girlfriend's 2 1/2-year old daughter.

Mama, don't let your boyfriend baby-sit. Studies show that the incidence of
child abuse is 33 times higher among children living with their mother and
her boyfriend (compared to children living with their biological, married
parents) [Family Education Trust, 1993].

I know it must be very, very hard to be a single mother: It is hard not to
get a break. But, it would be harder to bury your baby who died at the hand
of your boyfriend. Boyfriends are not babysitters. Nurses, let's get the
word out as mom leaves the hospital.

The Pedophiles' War on Our Children's Safety

The New York Times four-month investigation of pedophiles online reveals revolting and dangerous conversations about molesting children. In sum, today’s online pedophiles believe that society misunderstands them and that children really want to have sex with adults. Online pedophiles are leading a social movement towards the acceptance of sex with children. These chat groups also share information on how to gain access to children and how to further their mission in having sex with children, in propagating child pornography, and in gaining social acceptance of this criminal behavior.

NAMBLA, or the North American Man-boy Love Association, declares that they are fighting oppression against sexual relationships between adults and children. Last year, Robert Hamer, the undercover FBI agent who arrested some NAMBLA members, said before he retired that this was the most personally challenging assignment in his 26-year career: “These are ministers, special-education teachers, a dentist, professional people. They're your next-door neighbor, your kid's coach."

The pedophiles seem to be winning this war on our children’s safety. Most of us remain blissfully unaware that there even is a war. Yet this war is taking precious casualties: Last week in Tampa Bay, a 2 ½ year old girl died from being sexually abused by her mother’s boyfriend.

What can we do? First, we can supervise our children ourselves. Second, we can enact and enforce tougher laws (such as life in prison for first offense) on the sexual predators of children. Third, we can make any discussion of pedophilia on the web illegal. We can recognize the web as a portal to catch pedophiles and designate more resources to catch predators online. Do not retreat from this war!

Colbert Roasts President Bush - 2006 White House Correspondents Dinner - Google Video

Colbert Roasts President Bush - 2006 White House Correspondents Dinner - Google Video

I know this was a while ago, but it is so frickin' funny. How did they let that happen? The man has guts.