.~Javier Plumey~.|Fatih, Technology, Politics, Whatever.

Via the Seattle Times:

Voters approved Initiative 1000 on Tuesday, making Washington the
second state to give terminally ill people the option of medically
assisted suicide.

The ballot measure, patterned after Oregon’s “Death with Dignity”
law, allows a terminally ill person to be prescribed lethal medication,
which would be self-administered.

…

Opponents, including the Catholic church, said assisted suicide is a
dangerous step that devalues human life. Critics also said the assisted
suicide measure could exploit depressed or vulnerable people who worry
they’ve become a burden on their families.

The measure involved a multimillion-dollar campaign, including TV
advertisements featuring actor Martin Sheen, who urged a “no” vote. But
polling before Election Day showed I-1000 with significant support.

…

Forty-nine people died in Oregon last year under that state’s
assisted suicide law, according to a report by the Oregon Department of
Human Services. Since it went into effect, more than 340 Oregon
patients have used the law to end their lives.

Most suffered from cancer, and the most common reasons reported for
choosing assisted suicide were loss of autonomy, loss of dignity and a
decreasing ability to participate in activities they enjoyed.

The interesting thing about this law is that it has to be self-administered. So the doctors decide if a patient should be allowed to do it, but in the end, the patient has to do it anyway.

This is medically irresponsible. Doctors who take the Hippocratic Oath should be ashamed that they would rather give up on a patient than try to nurture them.  Sure, anyone can choose to end their life, but doctors should not be mandated to allow their patients to do so under their care.

Mike Dingus, a 39-year-old long-term care worker in Yakima, voted “yes.”

“You don’t get much choice coming in, so you should get some choice going out,” Dingus said.

A completely irrelevant argument that highlights ignorance on the gift and blessing that is life.

In an early indication to the kind of presidency we can expect from President Elect Barack Obama, rumors are circulating that Obama has offered the position for Chief of Staff to Representative Rahm Emanuel. If this seletion is representative of the kind of administration we can look forward to, then hold on to your butts, it’s going to be a bumpy ride.

Newsweek describes Rahm Emanual as:

a street fighter with a killer instinct—as explosive, profane, wired and ruthless.  Emanuel, a 48-year-old congressman who grew up, somewhat weirdly, to study ballet and practice Chicagopolitics, has generally adapted to his situation in a combative, not diplomatic, manner. As an indifferent high-school student, he badly cut his finger on the beef-slicing machine at Arby’s. That night, after his high-school prom, he jumped into Lake Michigan. The tip of his finger became infected and he nearly died. Ever since, Emanuel has relished raising his hacked-off middle figure at his foes. In conversation with almost anyone about anything, Emanuel uses the F word like a sergeant in a World War II motor pool.

Also read here.

After the election of Barack Obama, many of you will start getting email chains that in way or another claim that the government will stop allowing religious services to be broadcast on television, or other similar claims. Please be advised that most of these will be hoaxes designed to harvest emails for spammers. Please ignore them, but stay informed. Look for reputable sources of information from The Catholic League (http://www.catholicleague.org)  and the American Family Association (http://www.afa.net/). Keep  your eyes open, but use good judgement. No matter what you may believe about Barack Obama, I think we’re still very far away from blatant, government-backed, whole-scale religious censorship.

You may recently have seen one about the FCC petition number 2493. Here is the info on that from the official FCC.GOV site:

Religious Broadcasting
Rumor Denied

Madalyn Murray O’Hair

A rumor has been circulating since 1975 that Madalyn Murray O’Hair,
a widely known, self-proclaimed atheist, proposed that the Federal Communications
Commission (FCC) consider limiting or banning religious programming. This
rumor is not true. It also has been circulated repeatedly that Ms. O’Hair
was granted an FCC hearing to discuss that proposal. This too is untrue.

There is no federal law or regulation that gives the FCC the authority
to prohibit radio and television stations from presenting religious programs.
Actually, the Communications Act (the law that established the FCC and
defines its authority) prohibits the FCC from censoring broadcast material
and interfering with freedom of speech in broadcasting.

The FCC cannot direct any broadcaster to present, or refrain from presenting,
announcements or programs on religion, and the FCC cannot act as an arbitrator
on the insights or accuracy of such material. Broadcasters, not the FCC,
nor any other governmental agency, have the responsibility for selecting
the programming that is aired by their stations.

RM-2493

A petition filed in December 1974 by Jeremy D. Lansman and Lorenzo W.
Milam which was routinely assigned the number RM-2493 added further confusion
regarding the issue of religious programming. They had asked, among other
things, that the FCC inquire into operating practices of stations licensed
to religious organizations.

The petitioners had also asked that no new licenses be granted for any
new noncommercial educational broadcasting station, until the requested
inquiry had been completed. The “Lansman-Milam petition” was
DENIED by
the FCC on August 1, 1975. The Commission explained then that it is required
by the First Amendment “to observe a stance of neutrality toward religion,
acting neither to promote nor to inhibit religion.” It also explained
that it must treat religious and secular organizations alike in determining
their eligibility for broadcasting channels.

Periodically since 1975, the FCC has received mail indicating that,
in many parts of the country, there were rumors claiming the petitions
of RM-2493 had called for an end to religious programs on radio and television.
Such rumors are false.

Additional mail and telephone calls came in from people who thought
that Ms. O’Hair was a sponsor of RM-2493. This rumor is also false.

Since 1975 to the present time, the FCC has received and responded
to millions of inquiries about these rumors. Many efforts have been made
by the FCC to advise the public of their falsehood. The laws and the FCC’s
policies on the broadcast of religious programming have appeared in numerous
publications (including newspapers, religious publications, TV Guide and
Time Magazine) and have been discussed in religious group meetings.

Hello everyone,

Tomorrow our country will elect a new leader; a leader that will carry
out the duties put forth in our Constitution to carry out the simple
work of protecting life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness. I’d
appreciate if you could give me two minutes to read what I have to say
on this very important election.

This election presents us with two very different candidates and two
completely opposing ideologies.  The winner will guide our country
along the path of one of those ideologies. The question is, “which one
is right for America?” I present four simple arguments for your
appraisal that I hope will guide you in your choice.

American Principle #1 - Limited Government
Our nation’s government was designed to put power into the hands of
local government. The revolutionaries who founded our country were
revolting against an oppressive monarchy who taxed at will and limited
the freedoms of common Americans. They put the power into the hands of
the people and gave limited powers to our national government, knowing
that the state-level governments would do the bulk of the work of
taking care of its people.  That’s how the founding fathers intended
our country to work. That’s not how it turned out. Our government is
the nation’s largest employer, it holds within its grasp the fate of
millions of Americans.  It’s intrusive, bloated, and wasteful. This is
not the government our founders intended.  This election, choose the
candidate that will work to make our government more efficient, not
more bloated and more powerful. Choose the candidate who will be true
to the intentions of the office of the Presidency.

American Principle #2 - Prosperity and Property
Americans have long known that hard work, luck, divine providence, and
good will have led us to become the most powerful nation on Earth.
Millions of immigrants have flocked to our country knowing that if they
worked hard and seized opportunity, they could succeed and provide a
future for their family. As a society, we are called by human goodness
to help those who cannot help themselves. Americans are the most giving
people on Earth.  Since its inception, our nation has given to the
needy here at home and around the world. It’s never been a
constitutional mandate that we give charitably, but Americans do it
anyway. Those that work hard, get a good education, or get a lucky
break are rewarded with prosperity. It is not our government’s
responsibility to ensure that all Americans have the same level of
success. Without competition, and therefore winners and losers, there
is no need to work hard. Under such a model where there is no risk for
loss, there can be no success. America is built on success. This
election, choose the candidate whose policies will reward those that
work hard, not punish them by taking what they have and giving it to
those that do not deserve it.  Choose the candidate that wants
Americans to be successful, not dependent on the government.

American Principle #3 - Patriotism
At the center of our national pride is the feeling of connection and
camaraderie that all Americans have for living in a land where one can
be prosperous and speak their mind, be free, and have a say in their
government. Many people in this country do not feel this way, however.
They feel our country is broken, damaged, godless, and inherently evil.
They question the very foundations of our constitution. They seek
division in America through hateful words and a refusal to move forward
in the task of ensuring racial and religious equality. They mock our
flag, they trivialize our efforts for peace around the world. They plot
and scheme to hurt every-day Americans who love this country. They are
terrorists to the core and their words and actions have proven it.
This election, choose the candidate whose entire life has been devoted
to serving our country. Choose the candidate who does not associate
himself with these kinds of people, whether it be for political or
personal gain. One candidate has chosen to belittle our nation on
speeches around the world. One candidate’s past is plagued by
questionable associations. Choose the candidate who has proven himself
to love our country.

American Principle #4 - Love of Life
No other nation on Earth has enjoyed the peace and serenity that
America has had over the past hundred years. Despite being involved
with several horrific wars, our nation has had a peaceful past and has
gained the reputation for standing up for the weak of society. We have
proven ourselves to be a nation in love with life, from conception to
natural birth. This respect for life is under assault. Our government
has already decided that the life of an unborn child is not worth
keeping. If the government continues to grow more pervasive in the
health-care industry, the lives of hundreds of thousands of sick,
elderly patients will also be at risk. This election, choose the
candidate who respects life. Choose the candidate who understands that
every person is unique and a special and a gift to humanity. Choose the
candidate who will fight for the rights of unborn children and who will
prevent a government-run health-care system that will have the power to
decide who lives and who doesn’t. One candidate wanted to deny
health-care to infants who have survived an abortion. Choose the
candidate who will support Christians and others around the nation who
desire to see a country where all life is welcome, no matter how
imperfect.

I hope I’ve given you some things to think about. If you haven’t early
voted yet, please consider these thoughts before entering the election
booth tomorrow. Our nation’s future, as well as millions of lives, are
at stake. Take your responsibility seriously.

Don’t be tempted to vote based on a candidate’s age or appearance or
personal speaking style. These things are not important. What’s
important is that the person you vote for represents the kind of
America you want for you and your children. Thanks for listening.

Javier Plumey
javierplumey@gmail.com
————————————

I thought it was pretty obvious at the time, when I first saw Charlie Gibson’s interview with Palin, but this confirms it! I like the advice given: next time bring your own camera!!!

This is not a major news flash here, but did you know that members of Congress often abuse their positions? Yes. Way. Just saw this AP item on Rep. Charles Rangel, from New York. 

_Rangel’s papers over the past 10 years show no reference to the sale of a home he once owned on Colorado Avenue in Washington.

_The
details of a property bought in Sunny Isles, Fla., are bewildering at
best. The stated value changes significantly from year to year, and
even page to page, from $50,000 to $100,000 all the way up to $500,000.

The home in the Dominican Republic has proven a major embarrassment
to the 78-year-old Rangel, who conceded he never reported the rental
income over a 20-year period, received a no-interest mortgage on the
place for more than half that time and claims to have no idea what it
is worth today.

The ethics committee is also investigating
Rangel’s rental of three rent-stabilized apartments in his home
district of Harlem, as well as his use of official congressional
stationery to try to find private donors for a college center named
after the lawmaker.

These kinds of accounting mistakes are laughable, at best, and show that he has clearly abused his position in Congress for his own personal gain. This is the kind of stuff that costs the tax payers money. It needs to stop, now. We need more accountability for our representatives, let’s hope McCain-Palin are up to their promise to bring about such accountability.

I saw this post over at one of the conservative blogs, but anyone who has a heart will find it heart warming. In it, we see see how Sarah Palin’s compassion is at the center of her attraction.

Please, go read it.

LOL! This is a picture of the man, Russel Brand, that called President George W. Bush, a retard, at the MTV Music Awards. 

The New York Times were appreciative of Brand’s turn, saying the “manic, intelligent English comedian, injected the show with politics (pro-Barack Obama), raunch and philosophical musings.

That figures, that the American newspaper that most hates America should say that.

So he insults the Jonas Brothers, a quasi-Christian band, and then continued to make lewd, raunchy jokes.  I liked what Jordan Sparks, who wears a promise ring, had to say:

 ”I just want to say, it’s not bad to wear a promise ring because not every guy and girl wants to be a slut, OK?”

He turns the MTV awards into his personal pro-Obama rally. I wonder if Obama really wants to have the likes of these kinds of people on his side. Probably not.

UPDATE: There are now over 2,600 comments on MTV’s boards about this issue, the majority of which are condeming MTV and many of which are demanding apologies. Let’s see what MTV does.

I recently sent a fax to Congressman Robert Wexler regarding his verbal assault on VP nominee Governor Sarah Palin:

Mr. Wexler,

As a constituent in your district I wanted to tell you that I am deeply embarassed and vividly enraged at the vile comments you have made regarding Governor Sarah Palin. In a recent interview you said that she “aligned herself with a leading anti-Israel voice in American politics.” You have also invoked the name of Adolf Hitler and the phrase “Nazi sympathizer.”

Your statement was not only cruel and misleading, but also incorrect. A statement on John McCain’s Web site says Palin actually worked for the Steve Forbes campaign in 2000. Furthermore, to draw this conclusion from seeing that she wore a Pat Buchanan pin one day and then to speak openly, using such strong language, is both shameful and reflects very negatively on your professionalism and personal integrity.

I understand that you are assisting Senator Obama’s presidential campaign in Florida, but is it worth drawing such negative criticism to yourself simply for the cause of his election. Wouldn’t you rather be putting your best foot forward, instead of in your mouth?

Want a clear indication on Obama’s level of concern for America? Look no further than his response to Hurricane Gustav. Let’s compare the difference:

John McCain told the delegates and the crowds ready at the RNC that “This is a time when we have to do away with our party politics and we have to act as Americans”. Senator McCain took a trip down to Mississippi to look at how Mississippi and Louisiana preparations were going. He’s already called on his supporters to not only send money, but to be prepared to respond with work.

Obama on the hand, says that he “could” ask his worshipers supporters to coordinate volunteer efforts if needed. He made some vague reference to a “an email list of two million people” if necessary, and that in the meantime, he and his cult camp would stay out of the area until things have “settled down”.

How insulting is that?!? Here is a man who claims he has concern for his fellow American citizens, and yet the best thing he can come up with it is this base non-committal political rhetoric? An email list? Is he serious? Who’s going to get these emails when half the Gulf Coast is flooded?

Is this the kind of person/administration that you want running America? If there is a threat of war, do you want your commander in chief “laying low” until things “settle down”? We need a leader with decisive action, not one who will cower at the first sign of personal danger!

UPDATE: Looks like the indifference of the liberals is an epidemic!

Look at Michael Moore’s classy comments here: Hurricane during GOP convention is “proof there is a God in Heaven”

Democratic Convention leader claims God is on the side of the Dems