The National World War II Memorial will assume its central place among Washington's defining landmarks today, opening to the public after nearly two decades of debate and anticipation.
The chain-link fences surrounding the $172 million project are to come down early this morning, and visitors will be allowed to enter the 7.4-acre site at 9:30 a.m. -- a month before the memorial is to be officially dedicated Memorial Day weekend.
The opening marks the culmination of a campaign that began in 1987, when legislation to establish the memorial was introduced in Congress. Arguments about its location and design -- in Congress, in public hearings and in federal court -- delayed the start of construction until 2001. The project is virtually completed, though some landscaping work and the installation of several sculpted relief panels will continue after the fences come down today.
The May 29 dedication ceremony and other Memorial Day weekend events will draw about 800,000 people to the Mall, according to the National Park Service.
Duke freshman Luol Deng will make himself eligible for the NBA Draft
The player so many compared to Carmelo Anthony at the onset of the season is set on emulating the former Syracuse star one more time.
Duke freshman Luol Deng will make himself eligible for the NBA Draft, following the footsteps of Anthony, who led Syracuse to a National Title a year ago as a freshman before leaping to the NBA where he was runner-up in the Rookie of the Year balloting.
"I am pleased that this portion of the process is over," Deng said in a statement. "The opportunity to pursue a career in professional basketball has been a dream of mine. With help from my family and coaches, I will continue to gather information to make the best possible decision regarding my future."
No agent will be hired, thereby permitting Luol to return to Duke until June 17. Deng will remain in the draft unless it is apparent he will not be an early selection, according to a source close to the situation. Such a scenario would appear unlikely, however, as Deng has been tabbed a top-five selection by ESPN.com.
**Of course he has. ESPN continually sings the praises of Duke University. If he goes high, he can thank the national over-exposure that Dick Vitale's network underservedly give them.
In an apparent effort to widen the gender gap and assist the Kerry campaign, hundreds of thousands of pro-abortion demonstrators held a rally in Washington, D.C.
Roughly 1,400 organizations were involved in coordinating the event, and scads of Hollywood celebs showed up. Attendees included Cybill Shepherd, Ani DiFranco, Ashley Judd, Lisa Loeb, Salma Hayek, Amy Jo Johnson, Kathleen Turner and Whoopi Goldberg.
Techno-rocker Moby, Carole King and the Indigo Girls provided some of the background music.
Whoopi addressed the crowd. In her hand was the scare symbol of choice - a wire coat hanger. As she brandished the prop over her head she screamed, “We are one vote away from going back to this!”
The comic activist continued the theatrics. “There is a whole generation of people who don’t know what that is. This is what we used, and never again will this be the choice of any women in this world.”
Susan Sarandon directed her rally rage at President Bush. “We reject, Mr. Bush, your hypocrisy. We reject your vision of the world,” she squawked. “And we shall vote in this upcoming election and prove it.”
Julianne Moore murmured that “it’s important for them to realize that these rights are not a given, that we are going to have to fight for them.”
Additional celebs who endorsed the baby-snuffing gathering include Christina Aguilera, Jennifer Aniston, Bea Arthur, Ed Asner, Kevin Bacon, Alec Baldwin, William Baldwin, Meredith Baxter, Shari Belafonte, Polly Bergen, Stockard Channing, Jill Clayburgh, Glenn Close, Cindy Crawford, Sheryl Crow, Tyne Daly, Blythe Danner, Kristin Davis, Ossie Davis, Dana Delany, Laura Dern, Ellen DeGeneres, Fran Drescher, Kirsten Dunst, Hector Elizondo, Melissa Etheridge, Morgan Fairchild, Edie Falco, Frances Fisher, Calista Flockhart, Jane Fonda, Bonnie Franklin, Janeane Garofalo, Ana Gasteyer, Annabeth Gish, Maggie Gyllenhaal, Ed Harris, Marg Helgenberger, Helen Hunt, Swoosie Kurtz, Christine Lahti, Sharon Lawrence, Amy Madigan, Natalie Maines, Wendie Malick, Camryn Manheim, Frances McDormand, Ewan McGregor, Sarah McLachlan, Demi Moore, Alanis Morissette, Alyson Palmer, Mary-Louise Parker, Pink, Doris Roberts, Paul Rudd, Kyra Sedgwick, Martin Sheen, Julia Stiles, Sharon Stone, Charlize Theron, Uma Thurman, Heather Tom, Stanley Tucci, Ted Turner and Bradley Whitford.
The Left Coast Report notes, with polls showing the nation split down the middle and trending toward the pro-life side, the above list indicates that Hollywood is left-years away from the rest of the country.
The American Museum of the Moving Image recently gave a tribute to Dalai Lama follower Richard Gere. The actor took the occasion to verbally lunge at President Bush.
Referring to the November election, Gere said, “I think we deserve a regime change.”
In front of a crowd that included Tim Robbins, Denzel Washington, Kim Cattrall, Liam Neeson, Laura Linney and Matthew Modine, Gere proclaimed, “One thing I’ve learned in my life is never to trust anyone who thinks that he exclusively has God on his side, especially when he’s the president of the United States.”
The Left Coast Report wonders if Gere would have trusted George Washington, who said, “In tendering this homage to the Great Author of every public and private good, I assure myself that it expresses your sentiments not less than my own; nor of my fellow-citizens at large, less than either. No people can be bound to acknowledge and adore the Invisible Hand which conducts affairs of men more than the people of the United States.”
Or Abraham Lincoln, who acknowledged, “I have been driven many times upon my knees by the overwhelming conviction that I had nowhere else to go. My own wisdom, and that of all about me, seemed insufficient for that day.”
Or Grover Cleveland, who said, “Above all, I know there is a Supreme Being who rules the affairs of men and whose goodness and mercy have always followed the American people, and I know He will not turn from us now if we humbly and reverently seek His powerful aid.”
Or Dwight D. Eisenhower, who professed, “Without God there could be no American form of government nor an American way of life. Recognition of the Supreme Being is the first - the most basic - expression of Americanism.”
It seems that Courtney Love has fallen on some hard times. She’s facing felony drug charges. She could lose custody of her daughter. And she’s reportedly broke.
But the former Hole singer has come up with an interesting way of explaining why she’s experiencing the string of troubles. She believes she’s a victim of Republican circumstance.
Love told Rolling Stone that “the last thing I want to say is that I’m a victim, but I am.” She elaborated by saying, “I believe it’s a trickle down from Bush.”
The Left Coast Report says if Courtney can concoct a theory of trickle-down culpability maybe she will eventually accept some trickle-down responsibility.
Consumers are likely to see milk prices rise, probably to record levels, because the Agriculture Department is raising the minimum price paid to farmers to a record high, dairy experts say.
The department announced Friday it is raising the new minimum price for farmers to $1.69 per gallon, a 50-cent increase. The previous record was $1.40 per gallon in February 1999.
Larry Salathe, a senior economist for the department said the new minimum takes effect on May 1.
The price increase for farmers could send the price of a gallon up to $3.40 at the grocery store, assuming that all of it will be passed on to consumers, said Ed Jesse, a dairy economist at the University of Wisconsin-Madison.
"I don't think there's any question about it," he said. Consumers can expect to see almost an immediate effect. They'll notice rising prices next month when the department's new farm price is in place, Jesse said.
Prices can vary from the national average based on the region where the milk is produced and the type of milk sold, such as skim or whole. The Pennsylvania Milk Marketing Board raised its milk prices by an average of 58 cents on Friday, taking into account the effect of the USDA action on the state. Prices will vary within the state.
In Mechanicsburg, Pa., shopper Debby Murphy had just bought milk for her husband and three kids, paying $3.06 for a gallon. It will cost her $3.70 in May. She was disappointed with the increase, but it won't deter her. "I'm going to buy it regardless," she said. "I'll probably try to make it last a little longer."
A gallon of fresh, whole, fortified milk sold for $3 in February 1999, the second-highest price on record, according to the federal Bureau of Labor Statistics.
**I was just wondering. Is it possible for the price of tap water to go up if you order it in a restaurant? I guess this will shut up all those people who think we went to war with Iraq over oil. Let's see, which countries have an over-abundance of milk?
So far this year, our good friend, the country of Saudi Arabia has beheaded four people. There were two beheadings just this week. They do these beheadings in public. They get huge crowds. You know what’s in really bad taste; last night was Bobblehead Night.
They say the price of ice cream will be up this summer because the prices of all the ingredients are up. With gas prices up, the porn industry shut down, and now ice cream prices up – they might as well just shut down the Neverland Ranch.
Woodward says in his book Colin Powell warned President Bush about invading Iraq: Powell called it the "Pottery Barn Rule”. "If you break it, you own it.” Really? Is that really the Pottery Barn rule? I thought the Pottery Barn rule was – "you buy it, you’re gay.”
The Boston Celtics announced today that they’re going to hire cheerleaders. They’ve been the only team in the NBA without cheerleaders but they finally gave in. Technically the Clippers don’t have cheerleaders they have a team of what they call grief counselors.
Fans at Dodgers Stadium are complaining about how small the hot dogs are now. You know the perfect solution is this. Let’s take all the steroids off the players, put them in the hot dogs. Kill two birds with one stone.
According to a poll by babynames.com, the most popular baby names right now are Aidan for boys, and Madison for girls. The least popular baby names: Osama and Omarosa.”
In Key West, Florida, a straight couple was tried to check into a gay hotel but were turned away because they weren’t gay. Isn’t that unbelievable? They pleaded with the clerk they said, "We can’t help it - we were born this way!”
John Kerry made the mistake of saying something embarrassing while a microphone was on. And now he’s been backpedaling. So now he’s hired a guy and his sole job is to make sure John Kerry’s microphone is off. It’s the same guy that used to watch Clinton’s fly.
Conan
A recent study has found that the country of England has a shortage of dentists. But it was also found that England has a shortage of teeth – so it works out.
Kilborn
It was hot today. It was so hot that I saw Jessica Simpson putting sunscreen on a screen door.
The bullets don't care. The mortar rounds don't know who you were or what you stood or, what you sacrificed or whom you're leaving behind.
Pat Tillman walked away from NFL millions because he believed in something bigger than the money, more profound than the celebrity. He died Thursday at age 27 for what he believed and for the country that embodies those beliefs.
Tillman is no greater hero than any of the others who are fighting and dying. That is meant not to diminish his courage and commitment, but as a compliment to every man and woman in uniform. Tillman's life is worth no more or less than any of the others that have been lost.
We all know about Pat Tillman because he played football, because his decision to enlist in the Army made national headlines.
He was the classic, gritty overachiever - undersized for the NFL but possessed of enough heart and determination to make it impossible for the coaches to call his name on cutdown day. A linebacker at Arizona State, he was a seventh-round pick of the Cardinals who made the roster as a safety and special-teamer.
As a restricted free agent, he was offered a new deal by the St. Louis Rams. Tillman decided to play for less in Arizona out of loyalty to his team. In September of the next season, terrorists flew airplanes into the World Trade Center and the Pentagon.
Tillman finished the season, played out his contract. The Cardinals offered him a new deal worth $3.6 million, but he declined. Not because another team was offering more, but because he and his brother Kevin had made a decision.
They were enlisting in the Army. They would use their youth and their strength and their athletic ability (Kevin was a minor-league baseball player) to help prevent another attack on their country. They wanted to be Army Rangers, the best of the best.
Of course, they both made it. The brothers were in the same platoon. Kevin was there when Pat was killed in a firefight.
The bullets don't care.
His death makes so much of what we fuss and argue about seem ridiculous. Larry Bowa thinks the media are out to get him? John Welbourn wants to renegotiate his contract or be traded? Jayson Williams might lose his freedom and life of ease because of some stupid, thoughtless action? Eli Manning doesn't want to play in San Diego? NFL teams will go into their "war rooms" to choose college players today?
Petty nonsense, all of it.
**Update: my earlier post were articles written before his death, not about them. Sorry for the mistake.
It ain’t all hot dogs, sunburn and fireworks. Some quiet moment on July Fourth finds many folk looking for affirmation, significance in the day. This year? There’s the latest CEO-CFO scandal, the betrayal in the boardrooms, tragedies in the fog of a far-off war, the strumming fear of the latest terrorist warnings, the chasms of the unknown. But there is something else, worth a very long thought. The decision of Pat Tillman.
He is 25. Born in San Jose, California, a graduate of Arizona State where he played football so well he was the Pac-10 conference defensive player of the year in 1997, who graduated in three-and-a-half years with a 3.84 grade-point average and was drafted by the NFL’s Arizona Cardinals. Tillman turned down an offer of $9 million over five years to play for St. Louis because he was loyal to the Cardinals, who were offering him $3.6 million over the next three years. Tillman had it all. He married his high school sweetheart, Marie, honeymooned in Bora Bora in May, and returned to tell his agent and his coach of his decision. Tillman was joining the army. He wants to be a Ranger.
Where was the self-aggrandizing press conference to jingle the golden chains and flash the diamond earrings and beat the patriotic chest? There wasn’t one. His agent says the one thing Tillman absolutely will not do is talk about himself or his decision. Cardinals’ coach Dave McGinnis says, "It’s not just a snap decision. You’re not dealing with a guy who’s real shallow. You’re dealing with a guy whose waters run pretty deep." Tillman had McGinnis make the announcement and through the team Tillman declined all interview requests. His agent, Frank Bauer, says he tried to talk the safety into playing a few more years and then joining the Army. "’If I wait,’" Bauer quotes Tillman as saying, "’I won’t be able to get into the special areas I want to get into.’" This is the closest thing you’ll get to a quote from Tillman himself. He is adamant about no interviews.
Have another hot dog and consider giving up $100,000 a month and the life of a sports hero for an E-4’s salary of $1,400 a month and the anonymity of an Army uniform. Lt. General Dennis Cavin, who oversees recruiting and initial training, says simply, "That is powerful." Tillman hasn’t said so, but scuttlebutt is that September 11 had something to do with his decision. He took the oath of enlistment in Chandler, Arizona, May 31, and is due to report to Fort Benning, Georgia, July 8.
Tillman will be 28 when he is mustered out, having sacrificed three vital years in a demanding sport. It may be tough to give up Ranger tabs for shoulder pads again. Teammates were not greatly surprised by his decision. They knew he hears a different drummer. That snare drummer in the Spirit of ’76. So, if you are short on inspiration this July 4th, hoist one to a man who is not, Pat Tillman, a truly free safety.
Three cheers for Fox News Channel's business ace Neil Cavuto.
He's one of the few business journalists this year that has had the brains and backbone to expose the Democrats' hysterical distortions about the U.S. economy.
If you missed Kerry's appearance on Cavuto's program this past week, the Massachusetts Democrat will no doubt be happy.
Kerry tried to turn the show into one of his smug lectures, but Cavuto kept asking those pesky questions.
Peskiest question of all: Why does Kerry keep attacking the 5.7 percent unemployment rate when Bill Clinton was bragging about a similar rate when he began running for re-election in 1994?
The long-faced candidate looked like a moose caught in the headlights. He muttered something about that mean ol' Republicans and the Bush administration's "lack of response" to those unemployed.
Poor Kerry. Despite all his attempts to talk down America's economy, jobless claims this week hit their lowest level in more than three years.
If the good news keeps continuing, so will the demand for Botox in certain Democrat circles.
INDIANAPOLIS — Billy Pratt, 17, of Shafter Community Church is seeking a short-term missions trip to any locale where women hang around naked.
"There are definitely places in the world where people just don't wear clothes," he says, perched on his bed at his parents' house. Pratt hasn't told his pastor about his criterion, but he has researched locations extensively on the internet. He adds that if teen boys could work in a place where they were surrounded by "tons and tons of boobs" the ranks of missionaries would swell.
"I don't know why they don't publish this stuff," he says.
For his part, Pratt hopes his church will send him on an exploratory trip to remote Brazil and perhaps the French Riviera — "wherever unclothed people need to hear the gospel," he says. He is collecting Bibles to give away, and bought two dozen memory cards for his digital camera. He expects to garner financial support from boys his age who, in exchange for their donation, would receive the password to Pratt's web site which will include video updates and a slide show of his work there.
He feels called to return to these locations three or four times a year, and he hopes his church sees the urgency of sending him. "I have a meeting with the pastor next week," he says. "We'll see how it goes."
Since much is being said about Switchfoot and their recent naming as Budweiser's artist of the month, I thought I would throw a post out there since I like talking about music.
I will admit I love their music. But being objective about it, I perused their website and it is admittedly vague on the issue. It is clear that they are now mainstream and I don't fault them for that. They do spread positive lyrics and messages in an otherwise dark industry. But does positive lyrics alone classify you as Christian? No, but is classification really fair? I'm technically a Southern Baptist. But you wouldn't know what kind of Christian I was or how dedicated I am by knowing that. After all, they said Bill Clinton was Southern Baptist too!
4. One Fish, Two Fish, Red Fish, Blue Mercury-Poisoned Fish Caught in an Illegal Tuna Net by an Evil Global Corporation
3. Babar Becomes a Piano!
2. George and the Giant Deficit
and the Number 1 Book Written for Children of Liberals...
1. Heather Has Two Daddies, Three Mommies, Four Aunts Who Used to Be Uncles, a Leather-Clad Grandma and Several Cousins of Indeterminate Gender and/or Sexual Orientation
WASHINGTON — As a California pediatrician and 49-year-old mother of two teenage daughters, Claudia Jensen says pot might prove to be the preferred medical treatment for attention deficit disorder — even in adolescents.
"Why would anyone want to give their child an expensive pill … with unacceptable side effects, when he or she could just go into the backyard, pick a few leaves off a plant and make tea for him or her instead?" Jensen asked the Drug Policy Subcommittee of the House Government Reform Committee earlier this month.
While some wonder whether Jensen was smoking some wacky weed herself, the clinician for low-income patients and professor to first-year medical students at the University of Southern California said her beliefs are very grounded: The drug helps ease the symptomatic mood swings, lack of focus, anxiety and irritability in people suffering from neuropsychiatric disorders like ADD and attention deficit/hyperactivity disorder.
"Cannabinoids are a very viable alternative to treating adolescents with ADD and ADHD," she told Foxnews.com. "I have a lot of adult patients who swear by it."
Under California state law, physicians are allowed to recommend to patients the use of marijuana to treat illnesses, although the federal government has maintained that any use of marijuana — medicinal or otherwise — is illegal. The federal courts have ruled that physicians like Jensen cannot be prosecuted for making such recommendations.
Jensen said she regularly writes prescriptions recommending the use of marijuana for patients —particularly those suffering pain and nausea from chronic illnesses, such as AIDS, cancer, glaucoma and arthritis.
**But ADD? Come on. Our kids are already over-medicated. Parents who don't want to deal with their kids send them to a psychiatrist who then prescribes them countless medication that will affect them for the rest of their lives. In reality, drugs replace what a little love, attention and discipline could accomplish and is a quick fix for parents.
Our society is all about quick fixes. We want fad diets that will help us lose weight fast. Fad money making schemes that will help us get rich quick. And fast solutions to parenting like finding a doctor who will say your child has a problem that is only solved by financially draining and institutionally dependent drugs.
But beware of fast fixes. Most of the time there is something you're not being told and the damage in the end is worse than when you began.
The reality is what it's always been for Americans since the beginning of our country: The only way accomplish a difficult task is by hard work. I'm sorry to burst your bubble but the best way to lose weight is what it's always been: hard work through exercise and disciplined eating. The best way to get rich is hard work and disciplined saving. Parenting is hard work as every parent can attest. It's easy to give in when your child throws a tantrum or tries to get their way. Discipline is difficult and never-ending. Children are always pushing the limits and it's tiring. But the best way to accomplish the task is through hard work and consistency and diligence, not drugs.
New Polls Reveal the Obvious Bush Leading in Recent Polls
WASHINGTON — As worries about the Iraq war and terrorism have pushed ahead of the economy among the public's priorities, President Bush has edged ahead of Democratic challenger John Kerry, national polls suggest.
The ABC-Washington Post and CNN-USA Today-Gallup polls, both released Monday, showed Bush with a slight lead over Kerry in a three-way matchup with independent Ralph Nader.
Bush was up 48-43 over Kerry among registered voters, with Nader at 6 percent in the ABC-Post poll. In the CNN-USA Today-Gallup poll, Bush was ahead 50-44 among likely voters, with Nader at 4 percent.
Over the past few weeks, Bush has wiped out Kerry's advantage on all domestic issues except health care insurance, where Kerry still holds a small lead, the ABC-Post poll found. Bush still holds a double-digit lead over Kerry on the war in Iraq and fighting terrorism.
**I have never been a fan of polls, even when Bush is leading. They are generally for shaping opinions and rarely for factual information gathering. However this poll reveals what I have suspected would happen after the Democratic primary died down. It also indicates that as the War on Terror becomes a major issue to voters, they will be less likely to "change horses in mid-stream."
It also shows once again the liberal bias of the media which is noticeably silent when polls favor Bush. If there is no chance to make him look bad, via news conference, poll or commercial, apparently there is no journalistic value in it. It's sad really.
For not posting regularly. If you've come here looking for something new, I'm sorry to disappoint. I haven't given up blogging. Just getting busy. I'm trying to get back into the regular swing of things. Lots of things to be updated. I've updated some links on the side. I'm trying to get back into reading my books and learning the guitar. Some common detractors of my time has been the ministry and PS2. (Not necessarily in that order.) I put in a cd changer in our new car so I've updated the music also.
Had a good time in PA for the easter holidays. Although it rained all week and was cold. Took the new car on it's first long trip. It did very well and made the trip very comfortable. It's hard to see it go from 5 miles to 1,700 in the course of a few weeks. But that's what cars are for I guess.
Lots of things to tell you about. Keep checking in the next few days. We finished our youth room and I've got pictures. I also have pictures from Easter.
ESPN has become the S.F. Giants station. They broadcast every game hoping Barry will do something to boost their ratings.
Will he pass Willie Mays in Home Runs or won't he? Who cares. I'm sick of ESPN and other media outlets pushing their love affair with Bonds on everyone else. Yeah, I know it's history making, blah, blah, blah. But whatever happens will be tainted in my mind.
I wonder how Willie Mays feels having a possible steroid user pass him on the all time list? If it were me, I would be pretty upset. I might just pull against him. Cheer for him to fail. Even hope for a season ending injury. (One in which he would not suffer much pain....like a groin injury)
Regardless of how Willie feels, I know I am rooting for the purity of the records and for history to hold true, at least this time. Is it because I can't stand the sight of Barry Bonds? No. Although it could have something to do with it. Is it because I think Bonds is a wimp for wearing football pads to the plate? No, although I do. Is it because I think Bonds is an arrogant, ego driven prima donna? No, although it's true.
Is it because Bonds probably took steroids and possibly cheated his way to the top? Yeah, that's it.
And before you leave a nasty comment about me not being able to prove Bonds is on steroids, let me say you're right. But remember this: Bonds has gone from 180 lbs. to 240 lbs. in the span of a couple of years, during a period of time when men lose muscle. Nutritionist? Whatever. Weight training discipline? I doubt it. Creatine? Yeah right, I wish. I take creatine and I've never seen those kind of results. (no insults please.)
Regardless of what you believe, Barry Bonds and others have all the money in the world to keep the truth from getting out and will do anything to make it go away.
Most people will forget about Barry freakin' Bonds in a few years when he retires (hopefully sooner than later), but I pray to God his name isn't at the top of the Home Run list when that happens.
I think I'd rather see the Red Sox win the World Series....and that hurts.
Tuesday, April 06, 2004 For those of you who haven't finished your taxes -- The Tax Man Cometh
"The trick is to stop thinking of it as 'your' money." -An unidentified Tax Auditor
*** "[The Internal Revenue Code is] about 10 times the size of the Bible - and unlike the Bible, contains no good news." --Sen. Don Nickles
** "I like to pay taxes. With them I buy civilization." -- Oliver Wendell Holmes Jr.
*** "[The tax code] is a monstrosity and there's only one thing to do with it. Scrap it, kill it, drive a stake through its heart, bury it and hope it never rises again to terrorize the American people." --Steve Forbes
= ======
One taxpayer, who worked at a pest control firm listed his occupation as "Hired Killer."
"When my mother makes out her income tax return every year, under Occupation she writes in, 'Eroding my daughter's self- esteem.'" --Robin Roberts
An IRS telephone assister was overheard to say, "Sir please watch your language!...Sir, watch your language!...Sir, please!...Reverend, I'm ashamed of you!"
In 1987, Congress required that the Social Security numbers of all dependents age five and older be included on the tax return. In that tax year, over 7 million dependents disappeared from tax returns all over the country. Must have been the largest case of mass alien abduction in the history of the world.
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Along the same line was the couple who wanted to deduct the cost of their daughter's wedding as a casualty loss. After all, they reasoned, she really made a terrible mistake marrying the man she did.
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Bill and his fiancee Mary met with the pastor discuss their marriage vows.
"Pastor," said Mary, "I wonder if we could make a change in the wording of our ceremony."
"Yes, Mary," replied the pastor, "it is sometimes done. What do you have in mind?"
"Well," said Mary, "I'd like to alter the 'until death do us part' section to read, 'Substantial penalty for early withdrawal.'"
MERCER, Pa. -- A Pennsylvania mom is going to jail for allegedly stripping at her teenage son's birthday party.
Prosecutors charged that 35-year-old Patricia Johnson provided the entertainment when plans to ride go-carts fizzled. Thursday, a judge sentenced Johnson to serve three to 15 months in jail.
She pleaded guilty last month to a misdemeanor corruption charge and furnishing alcohol to minors. But Johnson didn't admit she stripped for the 13- to 16-year-old boys at a hotel. Authorities said Johnson bought beer for her son and three friends -- and licked their faces while she did her striptease act.
Johnson said her unusual behavior was fueled by pills and alcohol.
The Associated Press.
*And you thought your parents were embarrassing? How do you go from go-karts to stripping?!? Gone are the days of clowns, magicians and themed parties.
WEST MONROE, N.Y. -- A man in central New York faces criminal charges for faking his own hanging as an April Fool's joke on his ex-wife.
According to Oswego County authorities, Randy Wood phoned his ex-wife Thursday and said he had something he wanted to show her. She found him with a rope around his neck, hanging from a tree in the front yard of his home in West Monroe.
Authorities said that Wood actually secured himself with a lineman's harness like those used by utility crews. But his ex-wife called 911 before he told her it was a prank.
Wood could face a fine and jail time.
*The moral of the story? When pulling an April fool's joke, don't forget about April 2nd. You don't want to spend it in jail.
BURLINGTON, Ontario -- In Canada, it may soon be illegal to teach that gay sex is sinful, some say.
The director of the International Bible Society Canada, Donald Brooker, says the Canadian Senate could soon add gays and lesbians to the groups protected by laws against "hate propaganda."
Brooker says that could outlaw verses in the Bible that condemn homosexual behavior.
If the bill becomes law, as expected, Canada's Supreme Court may have to decide if gay rights are more important than religious liberty.
Brooker noted that Canadian judges have already ruled that the nation's constitution gives gays and lesbians the right to marry.
Associated Press.
*Why do we even act shocked anymore when news comes out of Canada? I'm not surprised by this are you?
A U.S. senator this week told NewsMax.com's Washington correspondent Wes Vernon of previously overlooked evidence linking al-Qaida and Iraq.
Testimony going back to months before the war in Iraq shows that the Bush administration had reliable intelligence of the link between Saddam Hussein and Osama bin Laden's terrorist network.
That would tend to throw cold water on some of the news reports on the stormy hearings of the 9/11 commission that suggest there was no link between the bloody dictator and the terrorists who later plotted the 9/11 attacks.
Undersecretary of Defense Douglas Feith told senators in October 2002 that the administration had "solid reporting of senior-level contacts between Iraq and al-Qaida going back a decade."
Under questioning by Sens. Evan Bayh, D-Ind. and Carl Levin, D-Mich., Feith added that credible information indicated that Iraq and al-Qaida had discussed havens and reciprocal non-aggression.
It was also brought out at the Senate hearing that since the War on Terror began following 9/11, solid evidence had emerged of the presence in Iraq of al-Qaida members, including some who have been in Baghdad.
It was learned too that al-Qaida leaders sought contacts in Iraq who could help them acquire capabilities for weapons of mass destruction. The reporting also stated that Iraq had provided training to al-Qaida members in poisons and gases and making conventional bombs.
The testimony takes on added significance now in light of election-year carping against the wartime president, especially with the implications or outright claims that there was no link between Saddam and al-Qaida.
