Wednesday, December 14, 2011
Sunday, August 29, 2010
Why both sides have it wrong: Biblical References to the resolution of Christian / Muslim Conflict.
Why both sides have it wrong: Biblical References to the resolution of Christian / Muslim Conflict.
The conflict between the Muslims and the Christians has grown to reach across the entire planet from Chechnya to Arabia to New York and Los Angeles. The conflict between the two sides of righteousness has run the spectrum of civility. We see it in the nightly news, in the faces of anger at rallies and protests and at the world government the UN.
What we don’t see is that both sides are wrong in their belief. The Muslim world looks at the west as a corrupt materialistic society trying to overrun the world with their MTV and their sex sells mentality. The Christian world looks at the Muslim world as an anachronistic holier than thou society that wishes to enforce a strict theocracy on the west.
Well in My opinion both sides have it wrong, terribly wrong. I am not saying that the west is not a materialistic society trying to overrun the world with its hedonistic ideas. Many in the west are trying to do exactly that. There are also many in Islam that are trying to bring about a world Caliphate to govern all nations under Islamic law. The reality is not all Muslims and not all Westerners (Christians & Jews) fall under these two stereotypes.
My personal opinion is that what is happening today is not only the correct path for both nations (Islam & Christianity ) but it was foretold and is Gods plan for the world.
The evidence that this is the right path lies in the Qur’an and The Bible. Being that I am not an Islamic Scholar I will not discuss the Qur’an in this text. I will however discuss the foundation of Gods covenant with Man.
The Biblical references that I speak of are all contained in the First book of the Bible, Genesis. Genesis is probably the least read text in the Bible. Most Christians view the Old Testament as irrelevant and not applicable to today’s modern life. However if we look at Genesis, especially the Story of Abraham we see the beginning of a conflict that has grown from simple house hold animosity to world wide conflict.
Genesis 17 As for me, behold, my covenant is with thee, and thou shalt be a father of many nations. And I will establish my covenant between me and thee and thy seed after thee in their generations for an everlasting covenant, to be a God unto thee, and to thy seed after thee.
This passage reveals that God has a binding contract with all of Abraham’s children. This scripture is a glimpse into the mind of God; it states an everlasting relationship without designation of religious affiliation or ethnic background.
The text further tells that Islam is born from the Children of Abraham and is blessed by God from the very beginning.
And God said unto Abraham, Thou shalt keep my covenant therefore, thou, and thy seed after thee in their generations.
And as for Ishmael, I have heard thee: Behold, I have blessed him, and will make him fruitful, and will multiply him exceedingly; twelve princes shall he beget, and I will make him a great nation.
4And Abraham rose up early in the morning, and took bread, and a bottle of water, and gave it unto Hagar, putting it on her shoulder, and the child, and sent her away: and she departed, and wandered in the wilderness of Beersheba.
15And the water was spent in the bottle, and she cast the child under one of the shrubs. 16And she went, and sat her down over against him a good way off, as it were a bow shot: for she said, Let me not see the death of the child. And she sat over against him, and lift up her voice, and wept. 17And God heard the voice of the lad; and the angel of God called to Hagar out of heaven, and said unto her, What aileth thee, Hagar? fear not; for God hath heard the voice of the lad where he is. 18Arise, lift up the lad, and hold him in thine hand; for I will make him a great nation.
This simple act of blessing by God to a distraught mother divulges the truth about Gods view of The Children of Ishmael. He wishes them to live and prosper, without any constraint or malice.
The Story of Genesis tells of the settling of a vast tract of land by a Family beginning with Abraham and his sons. The absence of judgment by Abraham toward one son or the other discloses that Abraham loved both of his sons. Abraham was faced with a decision to force one son in to exile to appease his wife’s animosity. God blessed both Sons and Genesis counts the offspring of Isaac and Ishmael as forefathers of great nations.
These are the sons of Ishmael, and these are their names, by their towns, and by their castles; twelve princes according to their nations. 17And these are the years of the life of Ishmael, an hundred and thirty and seven years: and he gave up the ghost and died; and was gathered unto his people. 18And they dwelt from Havilah unto Shur, that is before Egypt, as thou goest toward Assyria: and he died in the presence of all his brethren.
19And these are the generations of Isaac, Abraham's son: Abraham begat Isaac: 20And Isaac was forty years old when he took Rebekah to wife, the daughter of Bethuel the Syrian of Padanaram, the sister to Laban the Syrian. 21And Isaac intreated the LORD for his wife, because she was barren: and the LORD was intreated of him, and Rebekah his wife conceived. 22And the children struggled together within her; and she said, If it be so, why am I thus? And she went to enquire of the LORD.
The Veiled reference of two nations in her womb, I believe symbolizes the conflict in every relationship. Cain and Abel, Jesus and Satan, Moses and Pharaoh, Sarah and Hagar all have conflict, yet all play a role in the lessons of the Bible.
23And the LORD said unto her, Two nations are in thy womb, and two manners of people shall be separated from thy bowels; and the one people shall be stronger than the other people; and the elder shall serve the younger. 24And when her days to be delivered were fulfilled, behold, there were twins in her womb.
In these passages lie the key to resolution between our two faiths. We as Muslims and Christians must recognize we are children of the same Father. We must learn to set aside our hatred and our differences and embrace our common heritage. We are caught in a three way conflict. Much like a Mother in Law conflicted with her Daughter in Law the Son fights in two directions. He cannot win this three way conflict as no one can ever win. Christian, Jew and Muslim caught in a three way conflict over a plot of land. We must see this conflict as a test, not of our piety but of our ability to come together to find common ground and in the end learn to live together with Gods Blessing.
The end of Abraham’s story is where we must take our queue.
And his sons Isaac and Ishmael buried him in the cave of Machpelah, in the field of Ephron. 10The field which Abraham purchased of the sons of Heth: there was Abraham buried, and Sarah his wife.
In the End we must set aside our difference and come together. We must recognize that we all are sons of the same God and the same Father. Messages from God come not only from Mohammad but from Jesus, Moses, and Abraham. We must recognize that men who seek to destroy sons of Jews or sons of Islam are evil. We must recognize that conflict for the sake of conflict is against God’s plan. We must believe in the end, we must come together to end this hatred and replace it with Blessing.
Blessed are they who hunger and thirst for righteousness,
for they shall be satisfied.
Blessed are the merciful, for they shall obtain mercy.
Blessed are the pure of heart, for they shall see God.
Blessed are they who are persecuted for the sake of righteousness, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven."
Blessed are the peacemakers, for they shall be called children of God
The Peacemakers are the children of God. This is the key for all of us. When you disparage Islam or you take up arms against Christians or you speak out against Jews you are going against Gods blessing. You do not decide who is right or wrong you have no authority to judge, you have no authority to punish a man for his belief. The Salvation for all lies not by the will of man, but by the guidance of God.
17For God sent not his Son into the world to condemn the world; but that the world through him might be saved.
The world through Him Might be saved. What an odd saying; might be saved.
This passage is another revealing look into the mind of God. This statement reflects the idea that, we as humans can pursue our evil selfish ways of hatred towards people of different faiths or we can make a conscious choice to make peace and love our enemies and save ourselves. In the End the Choice is all ours.
The conflict between the Muslims and the Christians has grown to reach across the entire planet from Chechnya to Arabia to New York and Los Angeles. The conflict between the two sides of righteousness has run the spectrum of civility. We see it in the nightly news, in the faces of anger at rallies and protests and at the world government the UN.
What we don’t see is that both sides are wrong in their belief. The Muslim world looks at the west as a corrupt materialistic society trying to overrun the world with their MTV and their sex sells mentality. The Christian world looks at the Muslim world as an anachronistic holier than thou society that wishes to enforce a strict theocracy on the west.
Well in My opinion both sides have it wrong, terribly wrong. I am not saying that the west is not a materialistic society trying to overrun the world with its hedonistic ideas. Many in the west are trying to do exactly that. There are also many in Islam that are trying to bring about a world Caliphate to govern all nations under Islamic law. The reality is not all Muslims and not all Westerners (Christians & Jews) fall under these two stereotypes.
My personal opinion is that what is happening today is not only the correct path for both nations (Islam & Christianity ) but it was foretold and is Gods plan for the world.
The evidence that this is the right path lies in the Qur’an and The Bible. Being that I am not an Islamic Scholar I will not discuss the Qur’an in this text. I will however discuss the foundation of Gods covenant with Man.
The Biblical references that I speak of are all contained in the First book of the Bible, Genesis. Genesis is probably the least read text in the Bible. Most Christians view the Old Testament as irrelevant and not applicable to today’s modern life. However if we look at Genesis, especially the Story of Abraham we see the beginning of a conflict that has grown from simple house hold animosity to world wide conflict.
Genesis 17 As for me, behold, my covenant is with thee, and thou shalt be a father of many nations. And I will establish my covenant between me and thee and thy seed after thee in their generations for an everlasting covenant, to be a God unto thee, and to thy seed after thee.
This passage reveals that God has a binding contract with all of Abraham’s children. This scripture is a glimpse into the mind of God; it states an everlasting relationship without designation of religious affiliation or ethnic background.
The text further tells that Islam is born from the Children of Abraham and is blessed by God from the very beginning.
And God said unto Abraham, Thou shalt keep my covenant therefore, thou, and thy seed after thee in their generations.
And as for Ishmael, I have heard thee: Behold, I have blessed him, and will make him fruitful, and will multiply him exceedingly; twelve princes shall he beget, and I will make him a great nation.
4And Abraham rose up early in the morning, and took bread, and a bottle of water, and gave it unto Hagar, putting it on her shoulder, and the child, and sent her away: and she departed, and wandered in the wilderness of Beersheba.
15And the water was spent in the bottle, and she cast the child under one of the shrubs. 16And she went, and sat her down over against him a good way off, as it were a bow shot: for she said, Let me not see the death of the child. And she sat over against him, and lift up her voice, and wept. 17And God heard the voice of the lad; and the angel of God called to Hagar out of heaven, and said unto her, What aileth thee, Hagar? fear not; for God hath heard the voice of the lad where he is. 18Arise, lift up the lad, and hold him in thine hand; for I will make him a great nation.
This simple act of blessing by God to a distraught mother divulges the truth about Gods view of The Children of Ishmael. He wishes them to live and prosper, without any constraint or malice.
The Story of Genesis tells of the settling of a vast tract of land by a Family beginning with Abraham and his sons. The absence of judgment by Abraham toward one son or the other discloses that Abraham loved both of his sons. Abraham was faced with a decision to force one son in to exile to appease his wife’s animosity. God blessed both Sons and Genesis counts the offspring of Isaac and Ishmael as forefathers of great nations.
These are the sons of Ishmael, and these are their names, by their towns, and by their castles; twelve princes according to their nations. 17And these are the years of the life of Ishmael, an hundred and thirty and seven years: and he gave up the ghost and died; and was gathered unto his people. 18And they dwelt from Havilah unto Shur, that is before Egypt, as thou goest toward Assyria: and he died in the presence of all his brethren.
19And these are the generations of Isaac, Abraham's son: Abraham begat Isaac: 20And Isaac was forty years old when he took Rebekah to wife, the daughter of Bethuel the Syrian of Padanaram, the sister to Laban the Syrian. 21And Isaac intreated the LORD for his wife, because she was barren: and the LORD was intreated of him, and Rebekah his wife conceived. 22And the children struggled together within her; and she said, If it be so, why am I thus? And she went to enquire of the LORD.
The Veiled reference of two nations in her womb, I believe symbolizes the conflict in every relationship. Cain and Abel, Jesus and Satan, Moses and Pharaoh, Sarah and Hagar all have conflict, yet all play a role in the lessons of the Bible.
23And the LORD said unto her, Two nations are in thy womb, and two manners of people shall be separated from thy bowels; and the one people shall be stronger than the other people; and the elder shall serve the younger. 24And when her days to be delivered were fulfilled, behold, there were twins in her womb.
In these passages lie the key to resolution between our two faiths. We as Muslims and Christians must recognize we are children of the same Father. We must learn to set aside our hatred and our differences and embrace our common heritage. We are caught in a three way conflict. Much like a Mother in Law conflicted with her Daughter in Law the Son fights in two directions. He cannot win this three way conflict as no one can ever win. Christian, Jew and Muslim caught in a three way conflict over a plot of land. We must see this conflict as a test, not of our piety but of our ability to come together to find common ground and in the end learn to live together with Gods Blessing.
The end of Abraham’s story is where we must take our queue.
And his sons Isaac and Ishmael buried him in the cave of Machpelah, in the field of Ephron. 10The field which Abraham purchased of the sons of Heth: there was Abraham buried, and Sarah his wife.
In the End we must set aside our difference and come together. We must recognize that we all are sons of the same God and the same Father. Messages from God come not only from Mohammad but from Jesus, Moses, and Abraham. We must recognize that men who seek to destroy sons of Jews or sons of Islam are evil. We must recognize that conflict for the sake of conflict is against God’s plan. We must believe in the end, we must come together to end this hatred and replace it with Blessing.
Blessed are they who hunger and thirst for righteousness,
for they shall be satisfied.
Blessed are the merciful, for they shall obtain mercy.
Blessed are the pure of heart, for they shall see God.
Blessed are they who are persecuted for the sake of righteousness, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven."
Blessed are the peacemakers, for they shall be called children of God
The Peacemakers are the children of God. This is the key for all of us. When you disparage Islam or you take up arms against Christians or you speak out against Jews you are going against Gods blessing. You do not decide who is right or wrong you have no authority to judge, you have no authority to punish a man for his belief. The Salvation for all lies not by the will of man, but by the guidance of God.
17For God sent not his Son into the world to condemn the world; but that the world through him might be saved.
The world through Him Might be saved. What an odd saying; might be saved.
This passage is another revealing look into the mind of God. This statement reflects the idea that, we as humans can pursue our evil selfish ways of hatred towards people of different faiths or we can make a conscious choice to make peace and love our enemies and save ourselves. In the End the Choice is all ours.
Thursday, August 26, 2010
Terrorist comparison
Looking from afar we are almost dumbfounded by the ability of a human being to strap himself or herself full of explosives and rush into a crowded building and detonate themselves into a raging fireball. The thought of someone so willing to die to kill innocents seems to us as bordering on lunacy. The idea that anyone in their right mind would support a heinous act such as this must be truly despicable. Well not so fast people.
Since 1836 hundreds of thousands of Irish immigrants have crossed onto these shores. They have carved out a prosperous niche in our country. Persecuted and plagued by prejudice and discrimination the Irish in the US have risen to great heights and have made their mark in the Military , Law Enforcement and politics. So what does the Irish have to do with Terrorism?
In 1916 Ireland was engaged in a great conflict with it's colonial conqueror Great Brittan. The Irish Catholics waged a guerrilla war of Terrorism against the English and then later on the Loyalist Irish.
The Irish in the US supported these terrorist acts with cash,supplies, guns, explosives , personnel and training. The Irish Republican Army relied heavily on American wealth and
Irish Americans for their support. The Irish British conflict became an impasse and was resolved only after Northern Ireland was divided from the National Government. This resolution is probably the only solution for the Palestinian Israeli Conflict. The country must be Divided permanently or the killing will continue.
Since 1836 hundreds of thousands of Irish immigrants have crossed onto these shores. They have carved out a prosperous niche in our country. Persecuted and plagued by prejudice and discrimination the Irish in the US have risen to great heights and have made their mark in the Military , Law Enforcement and politics. So what does the Irish have to do with Terrorism?
In 1916 Ireland was engaged in a great conflict with it's colonial conqueror Great Brittan. The Irish Catholics waged a guerrilla war of Terrorism against the English and then later on the Loyalist Irish.
The Irish in the US supported these terrorist acts with cash,supplies, guns, explosives , personnel and training. The Irish Republican Army relied heavily on American wealth and
Irish Americans for their support. The Irish British conflict became an impasse and was resolved only after Northern Ireland was divided from the National Government. This resolution is probably the only solution for the Palestinian Israeli Conflict. The country must be Divided permanently or the killing will continue.
They are not the Borg
Recently the Whole country has been raging about the idea of placing an Islamic center at the Location near ground zero. I can fully understand the reaction from all sides. The People of New York are divided between the idea of freedom of religion and the lack of condemnation by the Muslim world for the terrible act of terrorism that took place on 9-11. Most Americans remember the Muslim world cheering in the streets as the Two world trade center towers burned and then fell to the ground. That has left a terrible taste in our mouths ever since that fateful day. The people of the United States collectively picked ourselves up brushed off our National pride and got to work kicking the shit out of the people we found to be the culprits. That has been going on for ten years now with no end in sight. The time has come to face our fears and our realities like Americans with truth and justice for all. How do we do that ? First of all, we have to realise that Muslims are not the Borg. If you do not know who the Borg is they are an Alien race of part machine part humanoid creature who conquer world and assimilate the population transforming them into mindless automatons. Muslims are not Borg they are Human beings that span the entire religious spectrum from non compliant to moderate to fanatical . They are fathers who love their sons and daughters, they are soccer moms, doctors, lawyers and yes cab drivers. But first and foremost Muslims are human beings with the same aspirations and dreams as any other.
Many Muslim clerics use their faith as a base of power preaching the need to conquer the Infidel lands and convert the unclean. These Clerics have corrupted the Islamic faith in their own pursuit of political power. This is common to many religious sects. We as Americans cannot allow this minority of religious power brokers to skew our view of Islam.
We as Americans must regain our foothold on our own faith and demonstrate to these Islamic terrorists that we are tolerant but will never allow them to replace our faith with their subjugation. We as Americans must weed out the root of the conflict with the Muslim world, that conflict lies within the state of Israel. For 60 years the Israeli government has displace the Palestinian people from their homes. The Israelis have bulldozed thousands of Palestinian homes to make way for apartment buildings set up for millions of Jews emigrating from Europe.
This situation has created a political lighting rod to draw Muslims to the radical belief that the US is evil. We as Americans need to stop blaming our selves or our policies for these types of problems. Like immigration ,drop out rates of high school kids and divorce we need to start tackling these problems at the source instead of blaming ourselves and others for the consequences.
To stop the flood of Mexicans into the US we must tackle the problem of poverty in Mexico. To solve the problem of terrorism we must root out the source.
Many Muslim clerics use their faith as a base of power preaching the need to conquer the Infidel lands and convert the unclean. These Clerics have corrupted the Islamic faith in their own pursuit of political power. This is common to many religious sects. We as Americans cannot allow this minority of religious power brokers to skew our view of Islam.
We as Americans must regain our foothold on our own faith and demonstrate to these Islamic terrorists that we are tolerant but will never allow them to replace our faith with their subjugation. We as Americans must weed out the root of the conflict with the Muslim world, that conflict lies within the state of Israel. For 60 years the Israeli government has displace the Palestinian people from their homes. The Israelis have bulldozed thousands of Palestinian homes to make way for apartment buildings set up for millions of Jews emigrating from Europe.
This situation has created a political lighting rod to draw Muslims to the radical belief that the US is evil. We as Americans need to stop blaming our selves or our policies for these types of problems. Like immigration ,drop out rates of high school kids and divorce we need to start tackling these problems at the source instead of blaming ourselves and others for the consequences.
To stop the flood of Mexicans into the US we must tackle the problem of poverty in Mexico. To solve the problem of terrorism we must root out the source.
Wednesday, July 21, 2010
The Debate about whether to place an Islamic Office building with a Prayer center inside near Ground Zero has become an emotional hot button . Many people have weighed in and there seems to be a consensus among most People that it is insensitive and insulting. I look at this issue from a broader context. When I look at New York and it’s inhabitants I think of a lost group of people who worship Money and secularism. I believe their instincts are selfish and misguided. My personal politics are very far right and my opinion about Islam is probably not Mainstream. I respect Islamic people for their dedication to their faith. Their dedication comes with a price especially here in The US.
I think it is time for the People of the US to start building skyscrapers dedicated to something Holy. Throughout History the tallest buildings in our communities have always been Churches. The Islamic people put their religion first in all things I believe we can learn from them and somehow regain our own righteousness and give up this selfish materialism and move on to a more peaceful and charitable coexistence with our Muslim Brothers and Sisters
Russell A Leach CSA MMA PA
I think it is time for the People of the US to start building skyscrapers dedicated to something Holy. Throughout History the tallest buildings in our communities have always been Churches. The Islamic people put their religion first in all things I believe we can learn from them and somehow regain our own righteousness and give up this selfish materialism and move on to a more peaceful and charitable coexistence with our Muslim Brothers and Sisters
Russell A Leach CSA MMA PA
Monday, January 4, 2010
DNA banks
Russell A Leach
February 25,2008
Genetic Banks and Civil Rights
Baker A. (19 Jan 2008) Genetic Bank Raises Issues of Practicality and Privacy New York Times
In an article in the New York Times, Alan Baker, talks about the Mayor of New York’s, proposal to take DNA samples from all persons suspected of a committing a crime in the city. This Proposal brings up questions of DNA testing and DNA data, and how it effects civil rights. The purpose of this paper is to explore the issues of DNA testing and DNA data, as it pertains to civil rights.
Bosch(2003) outlines the United Nations(UN), stance on how Human genetic data should be handled. Bosch(2003) states the international Bioethics committee, demands, protection of human rights and fundamental freedoms in the collection, processing and use of human genetic data, and that this demand is an important safeguard for the protection of civil rights. Bosch(2003) also relates that the position of the United Nations, to insure the use of genetic data, be limited to prior consent, unless derived by due process of the law. Bosch(2003) also relates that the UN wants only genetic data from convicted criminals to be stored and data collected from innocent suspects be destroyed.
Wall(2005)tells the story of a 13 year old girl, who was arrested in Great Britain for throwing a snow ball at a police car. Wall(2005)describes how this girl’s genetic data is now and forevermore in the National Forensic Criminal Database. Wall(2005)discusses the British governments’ power to collect and use genetic data and how that power may be used to identify, restrict and discriminate against persons the government might deem undesirable. Wall(2005)also relates the concerns of a group called Genwatch, who worry that the same tactics of data collection were used by the fascists and communist in their reign of terror during the last century. The states right, to take DNA samples also raises the question of genetic privacy and the rights of individuals.
Kaye(2006)argues against professor Tracy Maclin’s statement that taking and analyzing a DNA sample without a warrant constitutes a search of a person and that search is unconstitutional in the United States and cannot be justifies under the fourth amendment#. Kaye(2006) goes on to discuss the close relationship between fingerprint data and genetic data and their use to not only convict but to exclude suspects. Kaye(2006) argues that biometric data is not randomly taken or randomly assigned, but used within the limits of the legal system.
Rothstein and Talbot(June 2006) point out the relatively new application of genetic data in the field of law enforcement, and how its application has spread very quickly without oversight or regulation.
Rothstein (June 2006) also relates the huge success genetic profiling has had in solving crimes, seemingly unsolvable twenty years ago. Rothstein(June 2006) also relates the story of British law enforcement, doing genetic dragnets, by testing every male person in a small town, to catch a rapist. By DNA testing all suspects that fit a certain description in a certain area, they have been very successful in capturing and convicting criminals. Rothstein ( 2006) goes on to relate the fact, that these tests are done on a volunteer basis and most people give their samples willingly.
In an editorial written for the New Scientist Journal, the editor discusses a lawsuit filed by the ACLU, to prevent the California legislature from passing a law that would have everyone arrested for a felony submit a DNA sample for testing and storage (Editorial 2005). The editor(Editorial 2005)discusses the similarity of the California law to the laws of England and Whales. The editor also relates the fact that like the United Kingdom system, the California database has no regulatory body or oversight and that the administration that oversees the system, answers to no one(Editorial 2005).
I have concluded that the field of genetic testing and genetic identification has become a valuable tool in the crime fighting arsenal. DNA tests are not only solving crimes but absolving wrongly charged individuals. The fact that Genetic data is a valuable tool does not dismiss the fact that there is a huge potential for abuse. Genetic test results can be used in several ways to discriminate and exclude people from all kinds of activities. Because of the potential for misuse, there is a great need for oversight and regulation to prevent abuse.
References
Baker A. (19 Jan 2008) Genetic Bank Raises Issues of Practicality and Privacy New York Times
Bosch X.(3 July 2003) UN Agency Sets Out Global Rules For Protecting Genetic Data The Lancet v.362 iss.9377 p.45
Editorial (9 April 2005) Your DNA In Their Hands New Scientist v.186 iss.2494 p.3-3
Kaye D.H. (June 2006) Who Needs Special Needs: On the constitutionality Of Collecting DNA And Other Biometric Data
The Journal of Law, Medicine & Ethics v.34 iss.2 p.188-198
Rothstein M. & Talbot M. (June 2006)The Expanding use of DNA testing in Law Enforcement: What Role Privacy The Journal of Law, Medicine & Ethics v.34 iss.2 p.153-164
Wall T. (25 April 2005) A simple Prank By A Thirteen Year Old New Statesman V.134 iss.4737 p.32-33
February 25,2008
Genetic Banks and Civil Rights
Baker A. (19 Jan 2008) Genetic Bank Raises Issues of Practicality and Privacy New York Times
In an article in the New York Times, Alan Baker, talks about the Mayor of New York’s, proposal to take DNA samples from all persons suspected of a committing a crime in the city. This Proposal brings up questions of DNA testing and DNA data, and how it effects civil rights. The purpose of this paper is to explore the issues of DNA testing and DNA data, as it pertains to civil rights.
Bosch(2003) outlines the United Nations(UN), stance on how Human genetic data should be handled. Bosch(2003) states the international Bioethics committee, demands, protection of human rights and fundamental freedoms in the collection, processing and use of human genetic data, and that this demand is an important safeguard for the protection of civil rights. Bosch(2003) also relates that the position of the United Nations, to insure the use of genetic data, be limited to prior consent, unless derived by due process of the law. Bosch(2003) also relates that the UN wants only genetic data from convicted criminals to be stored and data collected from innocent suspects be destroyed.
Wall(2005)tells the story of a 13 year old girl, who was arrested in Great Britain for throwing a snow ball at a police car. Wall(2005)describes how this girl’s genetic data is now and forevermore in the National Forensic Criminal Database. Wall(2005)discusses the British governments’ power to collect and use genetic data and how that power may be used to identify, restrict and discriminate against persons the government might deem undesirable. Wall(2005)also relates the concerns of a group called Genwatch, who worry that the same tactics of data collection were used by the fascists and communist in their reign of terror during the last century. The states right, to take DNA samples also raises the question of genetic privacy and the rights of individuals.
Kaye(2006)argues against professor Tracy Maclin’s statement that taking and analyzing a DNA sample without a warrant constitutes a search of a person and that search is unconstitutional in the United States and cannot be justifies under the fourth amendment#. Kaye(2006) goes on to discuss the close relationship between fingerprint data and genetic data and their use to not only convict but to exclude suspects. Kaye(2006) argues that biometric data is not randomly taken or randomly assigned, but used within the limits of the legal system.
Rothstein and Talbot(June 2006) point out the relatively new application of genetic data in the field of law enforcement, and how its application has spread very quickly without oversight or regulation.
Rothstein (June 2006) also relates the huge success genetic profiling has had in solving crimes, seemingly unsolvable twenty years ago. Rothstein(June 2006) also relates the story of British law enforcement, doing genetic dragnets, by testing every male person in a small town, to catch a rapist. By DNA testing all suspects that fit a certain description in a certain area, they have been very successful in capturing and convicting criminals. Rothstein ( 2006) goes on to relate the fact, that these tests are done on a volunteer basis and most people give their samples willingly.
In an editorial written for the New Scientist Journal, the editor discusses a lawsuit filed by the ACLU, to prevent the California legislature from passing a law that would have everyone arrested for a felony submit a DNA sample for testing and storage (Editorial 2005). The editor(Editorial 2005)discusses the similarity of the California law to the laws of England and Whales. The editor also relates the fact that like the United Kingdom system, the California database has no regulatory body or oversight and that the administration that oversees the system, answers to no one(Editorial 2005).
I have concluded that the field of genetic testing and genetic identification has become a valuable tool in the crime fighting arsenal. DNA tests are not only solving crimes but absolving wrongly charged individuals. The fact that Genetic data is a valuable tool does not dismiss the fact that there is a huge potential for abuse. Genetic test results can be used in several ways to discriminate and exclude people from all kinds of activities. Because of the potential for misuse, there is a great need for oversight and regulation to prevent abuse.
References
Baker A. (19 Jan 2008) Genetic Bank Raises Issues of Practicality and Privacy New York Times
Bosch X.(3 July 2003) UN Agency Sets Out Global Rules For Protecting Genetic Data The Lancet v.362 iss.9377 p.45
Editorial (9 April 2005) Your DNA In Their Hands New Scientist v.186 iss.2494 p.3-3
Kaye D.H. (June 2006) Who Needs Special Needs: On the constitutionality Of Collecting DNA And Other Biometric Data
The Journal of Law, Medicine & Ethics v.34 iss.2 p.188-198
Rothstein M. & Talbot M. (June 2006)The Expanding use of DNA testing in Law Enforcement: What Role Privacy The Journal of Law, Medicine & Ethics v.34 iss.2 p.153-164
Wall T. (25 April 2005) A simple Prank By A Thirteen Year Old New Statesman V.134 iss.4737 p.32-33
Prisoners rights
Russell A Leach
February 18, 2008
Prisoners Rights in the Criminal Justice system
Crary D. (12 Feb 2008) Law Curbing Inmates Lawsuits Questioned Associated Press
In an article written for the Associated Press, David Crary discusses the impact a federal law curtailing incarcerated men and womens’rights to file lawsuits against the penal system has had on the prisoners welfare.
My purpose in this review is to examine the status of prisoner’s rights in the United States and abroad.
Smith (2007) discusses the Supreme Courts decisions limiting prisoners in the United States from filing frivolous lawsuits. Smith (2007) also relates the huge growth of the amount of people incarcerated in the US prison system causing a logjam in the judicial system. Smith (2007) then talks about the US systems well balanced approach to provide prisoners with fair and equitable treatment and redress during the William Rehnquist Supreme Court era.
In stark contrast Viljoen (2005) tells of the atrocious human rights violations and prisoner abuses in the prisons of the eleven African Union Nations visited by the Author. Viljoen (2005) discusses the African Unions’ efforts to address human rights issues and prison conditions in Africa. Kozlova (2008) talks about the Uzbekistan governments’ efforts to abolish torture and abuses in the jails and prisons of their country. The author discusses past abuses and relates torture and murder of prisoners at the hands of the guards and jailors in the Uzbek system (Kozlova 2007).
Kozlova (2007) also recounts the Uzbekistan Governments’ commitment to ensuring human and civil rights to prisoners in all of the municipal and federal penal institutions.
Zinger (2006) talks about the new approach in the Canadian criminal justice system to incarceration being more Spartan and more austere in its application of criminal punishment. Zinger (2006) cites the war on terror giving legitimacy to a more law and order approach to prison systems, which in turn can jeopardize civil rights of the prisoners. Zinger (2006) also communicates the need for more external oversight, to ensure human and civil rights for persons behind bars. Zinger (2006) conveys that the status of prisoners’ civil and human rights in Canada, The United States and most of Europe is by far more reasonable, than in most of Central and South America. He States that South American prisons are for the most part decaying buildings with poor sanitation and deplorable living conditions (Zinger 2006). Zinger (2006) also relates that the socioeconomic status of a country is not always reflected in its treatment of prisoners.
In 2000 Livingstone wrote about the European prisoners using the European Convention to address grievances and civil rights violations. Livingstone (2000) also related the need for a judicial review of prisoner’s grievances and judicial oversight of the prisons, instead of the prisoners having to appeal to international political bodies for redress. Livingstone (2000) also discusses the need for a European Union(EU) standard for prisoner’s rights within the jurisdiction and that an EU commission should be set up to address prisoner’s grievances. Robertson (2007) Talks about oversight in the American prison system as being “underdeveloped and uneven” (p.181). Robertson (2007) relates that violence and inmate on inmate crime is the real measure of our success or failure in the US penal system and that the system is failing. Robertson (2007) also cites the 93% reduction of homicides within U.S. Prisons since 1996 as not reflecting an improvement of conditions. Robertson (2007) Relates the drop in prison homicides coincided with a rise of more stringent controls of prisoner’s movements and freedoms. Robertson (2007) believes that the rights of prisoners to redress grievances have been vastly reduced by the 1996 prison litigation reform act. Robertson (2007) proposes that this is evident in that prisoner filed lawsuits that have made it to the appellate level have been reduced by 30%.
I believe that the literature reflects an atmosphere of disdain for the prison systems world wide. The literature in most of the Journals and Academic publications tend to be very critical of the prisons and not the prisoners. My opinion is that prisons are not meant to be pleasant places and that prisoners are not meant to dictate policy. That being said, I believe the strides that are being made in the prison systems are going to improve the life of the prisoners and help society reform and rehabilitate some of the criminal element in its care.
Crary D. (12 Feb 2008) Law curbing inmates lawsuits questioned Associated Press htp://news.findlaw.com/ap/other/1110//02-13-2008/20080213130500_06.html
Kozlova M. (January 7, 2008) The end of torture Transitions Online
Livingstone S. (2000) Prisoners rights in the context of European Convention on human rights Punishment & Society
V.2 Iss.3 p.309
Robertson J.E. (2007) Correctional case law 2006 Criminal Justice Review v.32 iss.2 p.181-202
Smith C.E. (Dec.2007) Prisoners rights and the Rehnquist Court era The Prison journal V.87 #4 p.457-476
Viljoen F. (2005) The Special rapporteur on prisons and conditions of detention in Africa Human Rights Quarterly
Zinger I. (April 2006) Human rights compliance and the role of external prison oversight Canadian Journal of Criminology and Criminal Justice
February 18, 2008
Prisoners Rights in the Criminal Justice system
Crary D. (12 Feb 2008) Law Curbing Inmates Lawsuits Questioned Associated Press
In an article written for the Associated Press, David Crary discusses the impact a federal law curtailing incarcerated men and womens’rights to file lawsuits against the penal system has had on the prisoners welfare.
My purpose in this review is to examine the status of prisoner’s rights in the United States and abroad.
Smith (2007) discusses the Supreme Courts decisions limiting prisoners in the United States from filing frivolous lawsuits. Smith (2007) also relates the huge growth of the amount of people incarcerated in the US prison system causing a logjam in the judicial system. Smith (2007) then talks about the US systems well balanced approach to provide prisoners with fair and equitable treatment and redress during the William Rehnquist Supreme Court era.
In stark contrast Viljoen (2005) tells of the atrocious human rights violations and prisoner abuses in the prisons of the eleven African Union Nations visited by the Author. Viljoen (2005) discusses the African Unions’ efforts to address human rights issues and prison conditions in Africa. Kozlova (2008) talks about the Uzbekistan governments’ efforts to abolish torture and abuses in the jails and prisons of their country. The author discusses past abuses and relates torture and murder of prisoners at the hands of the guards and jailors in the Uzbek system (Kozlova 2007).
Kozlova (2007) also recounts the Uzbekistan Governments’ commitment to ensuring human and civil rights to prisoners in all of the municipal and federal penal institutions.
Zinger (2006) talks about the new approach in the Canadian criminal justice system to incarceration being more Spartan and more austere in its application of criminal punishment. Zinger (2006) cites the war on terror giving legitimacy to a more law and order approach to prison systems, which in turn can jeopardize civil rights of the prisoners. Zinger (2006) also communicates the need for more external oversight, to ensure human and civil rights for persons behind bars. Zinger (2006) conveys that the status of prisoners’ civil and human rights in Canada, The United States and most of Europe is by far more reasonable, than in most of Central and South America. He States that South American prisons are for the most part decaying buildings with poor sanitation and deplorable living conditions (Zinger 2006). Zinger (2006) also relates that the socioeconomic status of a country is not always reflected in its treatment of prisoners.
In 2000 Livingstone wrote about the European prisoners using the European Convention to address grievances and civil rights violations. Livingstone (2000) also related the need for a judicial review of prisoner’s grievances and judicial oversight of the prisons, instead of the prisoners having to appeal to international political bodies for redress. Livingstone (2000) also discusses the need for a European Union(EU) standard for prisoner’s rights within the jurisdiction and that an EU commission should be set up to address prisoner’s grievances. Robertson (2007) Talks about oversight in the American prison system as being “underdeveloped and uneven” (p.181). Robertson (2007) relates that violence and inmate on inmate crime is the real measure of our success or failure in the US penal system and that the system is failing. Robertson (2007) also cites the 93% reduction of homicides within U.S. Prisons since 1996 as not reflecting an improvement of conditions. Robertson (2007) Relates the drop in prison homicides coincided with a rise of more stringent controls of prisoner’s movements and freedoms. Robertson (2007) believes that the rights of prisoners to redress grievances have been vastly reduced by the 1996 prison litigation reform act. Robertson (2007) proposes that this is evident in that prisoner filed lawsuits that have made it to the appellate level have been reduced by 30%.
I believe that the literature reflects an atmosphere of disdain for the prison systems world wide. The literature in most of the Journals and Academic publications tend to be very critical of the prisons and not the prisoners. My opinion is that prisons are not meant to be pleasant places and that prisoners are not meant to dictate policy. That being said, I believe the strides that are being made in the prison systems are going to improve the life of the prisoners and help society reform and rehabilitate some of the criminal element in its care.
Crary D. (12 Feb 2008) Law curbing inmates lawsuits questioned Associated Press htp://news.findlaw.com/ap/other/1110//02-13-2008/20080213130500_06.html
Kozlova M. (January 7, 2008) The end of torture Transitions Online
Livingstone S. (2000) Prisoners rights in the context of European Convention on human rights Punishment & Society
V.2 Iss.3 p.309
Robertson J.E. (2007) Correctional case law 2006 Criminal Justice Review v.32 iss.2 p.181-202
Smith C.E. (Dec.2007) Prisoners rights and the Rehnquist Court era The Prison journal V.87 #4 p.457-476
Viljoen F. (2005) The Special rapporteur on prisons and conditions of detention in Africa Human Rights Quarterly
Zinger I. (April 2006) Human rights compliance and the role of external prison oversight Canadian Journal of Criminology and Criminal Justice
Wednesday, May 27, 2009
How Government can work
Today My partner bill and I repeatedly broke the Veterans Administration rules concerning the procedures for helping veterans. We helped expedite three older veterans acquire housing two were on the verge of being homeless and one was already without a place to sleep. With bill's guidance and a little bit of extra effort we were able to provide the needed help and get these older veterans a place to live.
The reality of this situation is that we violated several policies and took up slack for social workers who could have done what bill and I accomplished without the effort we put into the task.
Unfortunately if we would have followed the rules these three men would have been sleeping in the street .
The reality of this situation is that we violated several policies and took up slack for social workers who could have done what bill and I accomplished without the effort we put into the task.
Unfortunately if we would have followed the rules these three men would have been sleeping in the street .
Tuesday, May 26, 2009
Sotamayer and the New Haven test
The new Justice nominee has basically stated in her opinion on the Ricci v. DeStefano (07-1428); Ricci v. DeStefano (08-328) case that a municipality must judge a man on the color of his skin and not on the content of his character. By striking down the New haven Firefighters promotions she has become a hardened racist. Just think if This situation were reversed and 13 black firefighters were denied promotion because the white candidates did not do well enough on the exam ,what outrage the country would be in . Her opinion is not based on constitutional law but on personal belief. She is a disgrace to the document I and many like me have sworn to uphold .She is a traitor to the rule of law and a good example of why Supreme court justices should be elected and not appointed. Obama the downfall of our constitution the demise of our country and the horror of our future.
Friday, May 22, 2009
The Change in Definition
The new administration seems to be relabeling everything and everyone with a kinder gentler hand. Islamic Terrorists are now called unhappy middle eastern friends.The war on terror is now called the war on man made catasrophes. with this new approach I thought I would help Barry and Nancy and Harry with their new approach and offer some suggestions .
A Mexican Illigal should be called a wayward traveling amigo. The failing overtaxation policy of California and Massachusetts should be called the democratic party plan. The new approach of treating drug dealers and users with treatment and therapy should be called what it really is "useless".
John Taylor and Oscar wilde had two different opinions on calling a spade a spade Taylor preffered to label things as they are, Wilde preffered to label things in the most flattering light.
Reality check, you can call a terrorist Mr Rogers but when the bomb goes off you still die.
A Mexican Illigal should be called a wayward traveling amigo. The failing overtaxation policy of California and Massachusetts should be called the democratic party plan. The new approach of treating drug dealers and users with treatment and therapy should be called what it really is "useless".
John Taylor and Oscar wilde had two different opinions on calling a spade a spade Taylor preffered to label things as they are, Wilde preffered to label things in the most flattering light.
Reality check, you can call a terrorist Mr Rogers but when the bomb goes off you still die.
Thursday, May 21, 2009
REFLECTIONS ON ABRAHAM LINCOLN
In his address in lyceum Illinois Abraham Lincoln put forth a challenge to Americans to put all of their trust and faith in the law and to commit their lives to upholding the law at all costs.
Flash forward and we have a country in economic turmoil and torn apart by political ideology.
The rule of law has been overrun by the rule of the mob. Take from the rich and give to the poor that is the mantra of the democratic party. Obama wants to put a Supreme court Justice on the bench that votes his conscious regardless of the law? A Justice that uses his personal values to make judgements of the law. The problem with that is sometimes the law leans towards the unjust side. Sometimes the law has broader implications and people get caught on the wrong side of justice. For Example Roe vs Wade million of people are caught on the wrong side of that law every day when I say millions of people i mean the unborn people.
The rule of law, a noble statement by Lincoln, but what else could we expect he was a republican.
Now that we have a Democrat for president a democrat majority in the congress the rule of law is now entwined with mob rule.
Flash forward and we have a country in economic turmoil and torn apart by political ideology.
The rule of law has been overrun by the rule of the mob. Take from the rich and give to the poor that is the mantra of the democratic party. Obama wants to put a Supreme court Justice on the bench that votes his conscious regardless of the law? A Justice that uses his personal values to make judgements of the law. The problem with that is sometimes the law leans towards the unjust side. Sometimes the law has broader implications and people get caught on the wrong side of justice. For Example Roe vs Wade million of people are caught on the wrong side of that law every day when I say millions of people i mean the unborn people.
The rule of law, a noble statement by Lincoln, but what else could we expect he was a republican.
Now that we have a Democrat for president a democrat majority in the congress the rule of law is now entwined with mob rule.
Wednesday, May 20, 2009
Atomic Iran
May 20, 1956 The United States Dropped the first hydrogen weapon from a B 52 Stratofortress. This act ushered in a new plateau of cold war danger for the world. Thirty three years later through economic and political pressure Ronald Reagan and Mikhail Gorbachev brought the cold war to an end . Today Iran launched a missile that will travel 1200 miles . This Fajr -3 missile has radar evading capabilities and is capable of carrying a nuke. To what end and what implication this has for our allies and trading partners who knows. The reality of this missile launch is that it is a political statement coinciding with Netenyahus visit with our President .
The Iranian Missile launch ups the stakes in the middle east but should the US get involved?
What benefit does US involvement have for the Citizens of the United States. I say it is time for the US to let the Middle East solve their own problems.
The Iranian Missile launch ups the stakes in the middle east but should the US get involved?
What benefit does US involvement have for the Citizens of the United States. I say it is time for the US to let the Middle East solve their own problems.
Tuesday, May 19, 2009
The David and Goliath Story.
Taking a cue from 1 Samuel We hear the story of a small boy slaying a giant with a single blow from his sling. The Republican/ Conservative party in the US must look to David for our inspiration. The Lumbering giant of the democratic party has at it's core a fatal flaw an Achilles heal so obvious and so vulnerable that most conservatives and republicans overlook it. The Democratic party is based on the belief that they can create equality through government. Throughout history governments have touted the premise that they and they alone can create a Utopian workers society (sound familiar). The ant colony where everyone tows his share and live for the greater good. The democratic Achilles heal. The flaw the reality is that it has been tried it has been done to death and failed miserably every single time. The list USSR,PROC, PROVN,PROY, TPROR,TPROU. The Initials are for the uninformed . The Union Of Soviet Socialist States,The Peoples Republic OF China ect ect ect.
Look to the past of these ultra liberal athiest giants and what do you see,corrupt governments and very unhappy economies.
The sling the conservatives must use to finish off the Goliath of the Jack ass party is lessons in history. Not the revisionist history taught by liberal tenured ideologues but real history written in stone by the people who lived through it.
Look to the past of these ultra liberal athiest giants and what do you see,corrupt governments and very unhappy economies.
The sling the conservatives must use to finish off the Goliath of the Jack ass party is lessons in history. Not the revisionist history taught by liberal tenured ideologues but real history written in stone by the people who lived through it.
David and Goliath
I was going to write about how the democratic party has become the Goliath of the American parties. Unfortunately I learned something very profound recently.
Get This, News Corp the fox news channel father company and GE and NBC are all in cahoots together. These three organizations are buying a house together. The name of the house is Tulu. A Internet media that gives streaming videos a place to live. Fox NBC and ABC are all putting their video's such as family guy and the Simpsons and the Internet via this new medium.
So when you listen to MSNBC and FOX news berate each other in the form of Sean Hannity or Kieth Olberman just remember their bosses are making back room deals to sell their ware in the same booth at the Internet flea market.
The rest of the country needs to wake up and realise that both parties have large corporations at the heart of their evil. Large corporations like GE are set to make billions from new environmental and health care initiatives. The corporate world that is in good financial shape will make money by further monopolizing weaker companies market share. The people of the USA are going to suffer as deeper regulation tighten their grip on small business who cannot afford lawyers to wade through the bureaucratic regulation to do business. The people of this country must wake up and put forth sweeping changes in government . My first intiative is to limit service as an elected official to two terms in every post in the nation.
Get This, News Corp the fox news channel father company and GE and NBC are all in cahoots together. These three organizations are buying a house together. The name of the house is Tulu. A Internet media that gives streaming videos a place to live. Fox NBC and ABC are all putting their video's such as family guy and the Simpsons and the Internet via this new medium.
So when you listen to MSNBC and FOX news berate each other in the form of Sean Hannity or Kieth Olberman just remember their bosses are making back room deals to sell their ware in the same booth at the Internet flea market.
The rest of the country needs to wake up and realise that both parties have large corporations at the heart of their evil. Large corporations like GE are set to make billions from new environmental and health care initiatives. The corporate world that is in good financial shape will make money by further monopolizing weaker companies market share. The people of the USA are going to suffer as deeper regulation tighten their grip on small business who cannot afford lawyers to wade through the bureaucratic regulation to do business. The people of this country must wake up and put forth sweeping changes in government . My first intiative is to limit service as an elected official to two terms in every post in the nation.
Thursday, April 30, 2009
Arlen Spector the symptom of government.
The job of a state senator, is to be the elder statesman and anchor of influence for the people of the state, he or she is representing. Arlen Specter has proven that what lies beneath the smile and handshake politics is the cold reality of the real goal of almost all politicians that is reelection. Staying in power has corrupted out congress to the point of no return. . The lengths at which senators and congress man and even presidents will go to get elected and stay in office is a sad testimony of the shortcomings of our political system. The saddest part of this commentary is that there is a simple solution for our governmental woes . Term limits would take the impetus out of the power hungry and put the power back in the hand of the people . Dissolving power bases and rebuilding politics from the ground up is what made America strong and prosperous.The republicans and the democrats have abandoned the people in an effort to seize power and hold power . How many senators have been in office for more than twenty years how many ten term congressman are there? The answer is simple, too many.
Tuesday, January 8, 2008
Countdown till the polls close
Just hours now and the polls will close
The time is short and the future is in the hands of the people
where it belongs . Being here in New Hampshire at this time, you come to understand how great the country we live in is, compared to the rest of the world. The founding fathers , the reformers , the patriots that have guided this country from thirteen small colonies to the greatest most powerful nation ever to grace this world must be very proud of how we conduct ourselves during this election. Honest forthright debate civil orderly demonstration and open and honest media coverage is a hall mark of a great country . Thanks to my father and mother I have a great love for this country my father taught me that service to your country is a privilege that should not be taken lightly. Many years in the military and working in the Medical field have led me to my next endeavor I hope to remain politically active and work on campaigns and maybe some day run for office myself who knows for now it would be nice to get back to USF.
The time is short and the future is in the hands of the people
where it belongs . Being here in New Hampshire at this time, you come to understand how great the country we live in is, compared to the rest of the world. The founding fathers , the reformers , the patriots that have guided this country from thirteen small colonies to the greatest most powerful nation ever to grace this world must be very proud of how we conduct ourselves during this election. Honest forthright debate civil orderly demonstration and open and honest media coverage is a hall mark of a great country . Thanks to my father and mother I have a great love for this country my father taught me that service to your country is a privilege that should not be taken lightly. Many years in the military and working in the Medical field have led me to my next endeavor I hope to remain politically active and work on campaigns and maybe some day run for office myself who knows for now it would be nice to get back to USF.
Down to the wire
I spent yesterday morning calling McCain supporters to make sure they voted . In the afternoon I went to a rally downtown where Senator McCain and his friends and family spoke and got the faithful fired up .
Got in real late last night my energy is gone my body is exhausted and I think I'm done.
This week has been unbelievable thank god they only do this every four years.
I interviewed dozens of campaign workers to get an idea why they go through this craziness. The responses where varied some do it because they believe in the candidate . The staffers seem to do it for experience and a line on their resume'. The volunteers are the true believers they do it because they are civic minded and want a good leader and they believe McCain is their man.
I think when all is said and done the process by which we choose a leader is pretty rough on every one . I can compare it to giving birth the early part is uncomfortable but near the end it becomes painful and exhausting for every one. The finished product is a man or woman who is vetted and tried, scrutinized and examined ready for the office that holds so much power.
The other great thing about the Presidential process in this time is that every candidate is recorded and video taped and every word they say is written and archived electronicly.This process keeps them honest and brings everything the candidated says out in the open.
The Road is comming to an end for me I believe I will be working a campaign when we return it may be John McCain's campaign it may be someone else depending on how well the senator does in the rest of the primaries. For now I would like to go home and sleep in my own bed and see my kids and wife who have been very understanding through this whole ordeal.
Got in real late last night my energy is gone my body is exhausted and I think I'm done.
This week has been unbelievable thank god they only do this every four years.
I interviewed dozens of campaign workers to get an idea why they go through this craziness. The responses where varied some do it because they believe in the candidate . The staffers seem to do it for experience and a line on their resume'. The volunteers are the true believers they do it because they are civic minded and want a good leader and they believe McCain is their man.
I think when all is said and done the process by which we choose a leader is pretty rough on every one . I can compare it to giving birth the early part is uncomfortable but near the end it becomes painful and exhausting for every one. The finished product is a man or woman who is vetted and tried, scrutinized and examined ready for the office that holds so much power.
The other great thing about the Presidential process in this time is that every candidate is recorded and video taped and every word they say is written and archived electronicly.This process keeps them honest and brings everything the candidated says out in the open.
The Road is comming to an end for me I believe I will be working a campaign when we return it may be John McCain's campaign it may be someone else depending on how well the senator does in the rest of the primaries. For now I would like to go home and sleep in my own bed and see my kids and wife who have been very understanding through this whole ordeal.
Monday, January 7, 2008
Republican Presidential Nomination
| Poll | Date | McCain | Giuliani | Huckabee | Romney | Thompson | Spread |
| RCP Average | 12/18 to 12/30 | 20.0% | 19.0% | 18.3% | 12.7% | 10.7% | McCain +1.0% |
| Pew Research | 12/19 - 12/30 | 22% | 20% | 17% | 12% | 9% | McCain +2.0% |
| FOX News | 12/18 - 12/19 | 19% | 20% | 19% | 11% | 10% | Giuliani +1.0% |
| Rasmussen (Sun) | 4 Day Tracking | 19% | 17% | 19% | 15% | 13% | Tie |
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