Hanging By a Thread

The Killing Fields {Out of the Mouths of Babes}

Why are We so Stupid?

My six year-old loves honeybees and everything to do with them. When I mentioned to him that many were dying or getting sick and weak and explained why this was happening this was his response.

"Don't people know that we need the earth to survive? I mean, it's the only planet we have to live on. So, if we are doing things to destroy our earth, we are basically destroying ourselves. Why do people do things like that?"

Man, I love this kid. He is so witty, so smart and so perceptive on issues so far beyond his 6 years on this earth! And he's right; it's that simple....if we are doing things that destroy our earth and the living, growing, working organisms on our earth, we are destroying ourselves.

The Need for Bees

In the last few years, I have read several articles on our dwindling population of honeybees and the concern over this issue. In the last few months, I have read and seen a continual flow of articles on this topic.

The concern is growing. Some say this may be the worst year on record for honey production, but honey is not the only issue. Honeybees are needed to pollinate over 95 different fruits and vegetables crops, including almonds, berries, avocados, apples, pumpkins and pears, to name just a few.

Since 2006, honeybee numbers have been closely watched, with beekeepers losing approximately 30 % of their bees a year; however, this winter keepers are reporting a 70 to 90 percent loss. This spells trouble for all of us who eat food.

The Killing Fields

So, what is sickening our honeybees? Well, the buzz word, if you'll pardon the pun, is pesticide, and not just any pesticides, but a certain class.

Scientists have linked this Colony Collapse Disorder to neonicotinoids. Included in this class are clothiandin, thiamethoxam, imidicloprid and sulfoxaflor, which are currently under consideration by the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA).

"Neonicotinoids are applied before planting to coat seeds. The pesticide is then taken up through the vascular system of the plant and expressed through the pollen and nectar, which bees rely on for food," according to Paul Towers of the Pesticide Action Network (PAN). Apparently, these pesticides linger in the soil affecting the next crop, as well.

Consider this, "In the United States, such neonicotinoids are routinely used on more than 100 million acres of corn, wheat, soy and cotton and are in some home gardening products." Thomson Reuters

It's not just bee populations being destroyed; it's also bats, birds, butterflies, beetles and other small mammals. They too, play a large role in pollinating our plants. According, to North American Pollinator Protection Campaign, some species have seen a 90 percent decline in their numbers just in the past decade.

Taking Action

A couple of weeks ago, four professional beekeepers and five environmental and consumer groups filed a lawsuit in federal court against the EPA. In the lawsuit, the groups claim , "the U.S. environmental regulators are failing to protect honeybees and their role in pollinating important food crops, and should immediately suspend use of some toxic insecticides tied to the widespread deaths of the bees." science.ncbnews.com

"Despite our best efforts to warn the agency about the problems posed by neonicotinoids, the EPA continued to ignore the clear warning signs of an ag system in trouble," says Paul Tower of PAN. It's also worth noting that in Europe, the European Commission has proposed a ban on neonicotinoids because the European Food Safety Authority found that there is a high risk to the health of the honeybees when this class of pesticide is used.

The Scoop

We all eat food. If our crops fail here and/or abroad because there are no honeybees to pollinate them, then prices go up, food is scarce and we are all adversely affected.

There is an ever mounting pile of crap that leads to companies like Monsanto, Syngenta and Bayer and other companies manufacturing pesticides and manipulating seeds and plants. Believe it or not, it was just a few years ago that such pesticides from the neonicotinoids class began being used widespread to grow stronger, disease/pest resistant crops. Unfortunately, this was done at the expense of health of humans and animals. I believe we are only starting to see the repercussions of the use of such strong and harmful chemicals.

So, why should we care about this issue? Because it matters to all of us; that is, all of us who eat food. More to come on this and other food issues. Over and out...

Anna

Leaving Children Behind....in the Lunch Room

Feed Their Minds and Bodies

Here's what I think...All children, no matter race, creed, national origin, address, tax bracket or any other factor should have food to eat. No child should be left behind without a meal to eat at school.

Going hungry teaches desperation, heartbreak, bitterness and misunderstanding. Providing school lunches does not teach laziness, greed or a sense of entitlement; they are not handouts. Food is a basic necessity of life.

Children who are fed learn better, listen better and are happier, more focused and participate in class. Children who go hungry are cranky, listless, tired and poor students.

I'm not a dietician, a physician, a psychologist or a social worker. I'm a mom. This is common sense. Kids should have enough food to eat in the "greatest country in the world."

The Politics of Feeding Kids

Politics should not figure into this issue. Unfortunately, it has to if there is to be money to feed kids who do not have food at home to bring to school for lunch, and who more than likely will go without breakfast and snacks too.

Yes, there are programs for free and subsidized lunches, but there are limits regarding who is eligible for those programs. And in our economically depressed country, often the working poor are suffering greatly in reality, but on paper it appears that they are making the ends meet and therefore, do not qualify for these school lunch programs. Or perhaps these kids qualify for the reduced cost lunch program, but even that is just too much for the family. Or maybe there are language or cultural barriers or misunderstandings or miscommunications that cause kids who would qualify for these programs to never become enrolled and end up going without.

Turning Kids Away

Regardless of the situation of why kids are going hungry at school, the point is it is happening. According to a Star Tribune article, Legal Aid along with four Minneapolis law firms conducted a survey of the 182 school districts in Minnesota regarding school lunch policies and here is some of what they found:

"30 Minnesota school districts have some form of 'turn-away' policy, ranging from allowing the child a limited number of hot meals before stopping, to turning even the youngest grade-schoolers away immediately.

Seven districts stamp children's hands as a deterrent to nonpayment. One district issues a 'red card' after four unpaid lunches, while another issues 'purple tickets' for nonpayers.

One district brings a child into the kitchen where the hot lunch is taken away and exchanged for a bag lunch. Another takes the lunch tray away at the end of the line.

Diplomas are being withheld from some nonpaying high school seniors. Bill collectors are going after some of their parents."

According to a MPR article, about 20% of the school districts in MN have some form of turn-away policy.

The Star Tribune reports that Minneapolis, Anoka-Hennepin, Delano, Robbinsdale and Brainerd do provide hot lunches to their students whether the kids have the money to cover the cost or not while St. Paul offers a sandwich to non-paying kids.

Footing the Bill

There are bills moving through the Minnesota legislature that would expand the budget for free school lunches. According to the MPR article, Minnesota currently provides about 250,000 free lunches per school year. Advocates of this bill would like to increase that number by about 62,000.

This is not the first time such a bill has been introduced, but Jessica Webster of Legal Aid, who has been instrumental in putting together this information, getting the word out and gaining support for this issue, is more optimistic with the increased backing by key people.

Part of the problem is that school district budgets are already strapped. Where will the funds come from for these extra meals? Funding is a major concern for many school administrators and yet children going through the school days without enough food in their bellies should be equally vital concern for these administrators.

The Scoop

Sen. Sean Nienow, ranking minority member on the Senate Education Finance Committee, was quoted in MPR article as saying, "That may be tight, but most of those families probably can pitch in."

While this may be the case some of the time, with some of the families, he who has never been in such a situation does not know how very tight it can be on some days, some weeks or some months! When a parent must decide whether to pay the mortgage/rent or the electricity/gas or buy groceries or buy gas to be able to get to work and there is no wiggle room, that's a difficult, gut-wrenching, heartbreaking decision. We must be able to walk in another's shoes and see how the world looks when it's very dim with nowhere to turn in the immediate future.

And we must take care of our children; the children who will grow up and build and govern and create and have families and teach and guide and take care of each other. We focus on "no child left behind" and work to be sure that each child learns the basics of reading, writing and arithmetic, but what about the basic necessities of being fed enough food and being nourished, body and soul.

I have contacted my school district's superintendant to inquire about the policies in my district. I hope you will do the same. Fortunately, there are some angel donors, teachers, principals, lunch room staff, etc. who take matters into their own hands, regardless of what school policy is and reach out to the children without and provide them with sustenance. And to those kind and generous souls I say thank you. But this is not enough. Minnesota, you can do better! Over and out...

Anna

 

Random Tidbits {Food; What’s Fit to Eat?}

I love to eat. I love to eat really good food. I love to cook food in. I love to get food out. I read labels. I read articles. And lately, everywhere I look I see issues with food; food full chemicals; food genetically modified; dirty food; mislabeled food; food with hidden additives, preservatives and ingredients; food that could make you sick.

Is it that hard to nourish a body without ingesting something harmful? The simple answer appears to be yes.

It's almost enough to make one move to the wilderness, live off the grid and produce all of one's own food. Almost.

It just shouldn't be this difficult to eat healthy, fresh, clean, nutritious food.

In the last few weeks, I have been collecting articles involving food issues. Here are a few of them:

1. Your Reusable Grocery Bags Could be Harboring Bacteria! A number of cities are going "green" by banning all plastic and paper bags at stores via city ordinances. The consumers are to supply their own reusable bags instead. An admirable move it would seem, but a recent study by the American Chemistry Council shows that the reusable bags often left in hot cars and rarely washed are harboring a multitude of bacteria, including E. coli. Fortunately, more than likely this won't make you sick according to at least one report. Washing them isn't a bad idea though.
2. Shrimp Fed on Pig Poop! Now that's appetizing. About a third of our seafood is coming from China and the surrounding areas. Pig, human and goose feces is often used to feed the shrimp and tilapia, etc., the tap water used to make ice to put on the seafood is contaminated and the conditions of the farms producing the fish and shellfish are downright disgusting and dangerous to our health. Only a small percentage is inspected, and much of what is inspected is rejected.
3. Looks Like Tuna, Sold as Tuna, Often Not Tuna. The Los Angeles Times reports Oceana found in its study that nearly 60% of tuna sold to consumers, at both restaurants and grocery stores, is not tuna. In fact, most of the mislabeled tuna was the extremely oily fish escolar, which can cause explosive diarrhea. Of course, this issue is not exclusive to tuna, mislabeling is quite common with many fish.
4. Aspartame a Part of Milk? The National Milk Producers Federation has asked FDA to change the definition of milk. They wish to have artificial sweeteners, such as aspartame and sucralose included in the definition of milk. This way they can sneak these ingredients in without having to list them.

Many of these issues involve the food industry powers that be trying to pull the wool over the eyes of the consumers so they can sell more and make more money. I like to think that we, as consumers, are savvier than ever and are more conscious of what we are putting into our mouths, but then again, I'm not so sure that enough of the consumers are paying attention to these issues to force the hand of those producers and brokers and growers and marketers to make a difference...yet. Over and out...

Anna

Random Tidbits: On a Rampage {Strong Opinions}

New Rules

I've been juggling a lot with work lately, which means that everything else suffers. So, I've decided to make some rules for myself, and I'm really trying to stick with it.

I'm setting weekly office hours. We're holding weekly family meetings with an agenda, a white board and an Angry Bird (that's a whole other post...stay tuned). I'm standing firm on what I can and cannot add to my overly stuffed schedule...and refusing to feel guilty about saying "No" when I need to.

Unfortunately, one of the things that has taken a backseat to being a priority lately has been writing. So, I'm trying this Random Bits style again...cuz you know I have things to say, but just not much time to get them said!

Bits and Pieces

1. Y'all know how I feel about using your phone and driving, right?! If you don't then read this: I Hit A Child with My Car and all the other Distracted Driving posts I've written. Well, my friend, Trina, a dedicated Phone Down, Eyes Up driver sent me this photo that her friend sent to her. I love it! And there's a lot of truth in this statement...believe it.
   
2. In DC, a Councilmember has introduced a bill to curb cheating. If passed, it would make facilitating cheating on standardized tests illegal. Now I'm certainly against cheating, but what troubles me is that there has to be such laws in place to prevent school personnel from tampering with tests.

   Shouldn't this be a given to teachers and administrators? Perhaps, the better answer is to take a look at why there is such a need to "fix" standardized tests in this district and examine the education resources and funding.

3. Apparently there is overcrowding at the Metro Louisville jail in Kentucky. The solution? Well, USA Today reports that "tech-savvy professionals will use technology and data to study the overcrowding," of course. The pros will be trying to find some possible solutions.

   News Flash! I've got a solution. Use that money to study how to get kids off the streets, keep them safe, educate them, and get them out of the cycle of committing crimes-jail-committing crimes-jail that many of their older siblings, parents, aunts and uncles and friends are in instead of employing "tech-savvy professionals." This is not an engineering/spatial problem; this is societal issue, a human interest story that could have happy ending.

4. Lastly, the total cost of the 2012 elections, from federal to state to local offices, was...hold on to your boots, friends... $7.3 BILLION (according to Politico.com)! WHAT A WASTE! Don't get me started on what that could have been spent on. This amount of money could have made a huge impact on many of the very causes and issues and institutions and families addressed by the candidates running for office. So many could have been greatly benefitted by even a fraction of this money being spent in a positive way. Here are more of my thoughts on the subject of political campaign spending.

The Scoop

Hmmm, it turns out I'm full of opinions this Monday morning. Well, there you have it. Over and out...

Anna

Sticky Messes: Good Guys v. Bad Guys {Biggest Gun Wins}

Cleaning up Messes

My kids are really good at making huge messes. They don't mean to; they're just busy playing, creating some playscape or making confetti or trying to help by pouring their own juice or milk.

The result is something sticky covering the floor, splattered on the counter and cabinets and inevitably on the boys themselves, bits of paper everywhere, pillows, blankets and stuffed animals scattered throughout the house, draping over this or that, pulling down lamps and picture frames.

I know I should make them clean up these disaster zones, but I know from experience generally their version of cleaning up a mess only results in bigger messes that make me a steaming, angry, stressed out mom; which is another type of mess altogether.

So, I banish them from the desecrated area, and I clean up the mess. They do have to clean up toys scattered about; it's just these sticky, dirty, destructive messes that I take over.

Yes, I know. You're shaking your head and thinking. "That's the way to spoil them and make them think they can get away with anything."

Perhaps, but it keeps me sane, and avoids the chance of a headline like this, "Mom loses mind, runs screaming from home, never to be heard from again after sons attempt to clean up spilled apple juice with down comforter, only to rip seam and allow all the feathers to float through house, adhering to all sticky surfaces covered in apple juice, including the boys and a giant dog."

Sometimes it's just better to step in and take control of a smaller, still fixable mess before it becomes a giant, sticky, slippery slope heading straight down the tubes.

Guns in Schools

A few days before Christmas I happened to see a newspaper headline, "NRA leader urges armed guards in every U.S. school." Surely not.

I read more. "The only thing that stops a bad guy with a gun is a good guy with a gun," says NRA executive vice president, Wayne LaPierre. Hmmmm.

While I agree that gunmen on rampages who seem to all too often end up in schools of some level is a definite problem, I don't agree that throwing more guns into the mix is the answer.

The NRA's current plan is like standing to the side and watching my sons spill a gallon of apple juice all over the counter, the floor, the cabinets and themselves as they attempt to pour a small amount into a child-sized cup, then letting them clean it up with the socks on their feet and whatever else they can find to sop of the sticky liquid, leaving the residue behind to collect hair and dust and dirt, turning the whole thing into a filthy mess.

That doesn't solve or teach anything.

I realize that there are a number of schools in large cities that already have trained armed guards/off-duty police officers patrolling the halls, approximately one-third of public schools or 23,000 schools to be precise. I acknowledge this is necessary to keep the students in those schools safe, but I do not find this statistic to be an acceptable standard for schools.

Good Guys v. Bad Guys

This figure alone speaks volumes about the state of our country and the culture we live in. It saddens me to no end. But this proposed "solution" from the NRA enrages my faculties, breaks my heart and frightens me.

More guns, especially guns of the caliber and capacity that match those that the "bad guys" have access to do not belong in our schools. What lesson does this teach? The "bad guys" have big guns; well, the "good guys" will just get bigger guns.

Where does it end? Why stop at schools? How about movie theaters, churches, all government buildings, federal, state and city, malls, parks, the grocery store, libraries, parking garages, and every other public building? Perhaps it should be mandatory that every household owns an assault rifle. That ought to stop the "bad guys."

Of course, if we're all running around with guns all the time, that might make it difficult to tell the "bad guys" from the "good guys." Then what would the NRA propose?

Better Laws

I don't have all the answers, but I feel certain that adding more high powered weapons to our warped society is NOT the answer.

I am not advocating for all guns to be ripped from lawful gun owners' tight grasp. But I do support bans on assault rifles and high-capacity ammunition clips; weapons that belong only on a battlefield, if anywhere at all; weapons that can wipe out a great number of people in a few short seconds; weapons capable of ripping gaping holes in bodies and exploding through flesh and vital organs.

Weapons of this nature go far beyond hunting and "protecting" your home and family. If you oppose this type of ban, please explain to me the need for such devastating weapons.

Of course, bans are not the only aspects to be considered. Historically, horrible killing sprees that have taken place in schools, malls, churches, offices and theaters are carried out by people who have a mental illness of some sort. Therefore, mental illnesses, detection and treatment are also issues to be considered.

The Scoop

Call me naïve, but I don't want to live in a world where "the only thing that stops a bad guy with a gun is a good guy with a gun." And I just don't think we have to live in such a world...if we wake up and proactively start dealing with this issue.

The current gun laws are not adequate. We don't necessarily need more laws, but better laws. I challenge our lawmakers to disregard the powerful, $12-billion-dollar-a-year gun industry and its puppet, the NRA and find a way that protects our citizens' safety and rights. Over and out...

Anna

A Pledge....for the Unity of Our Nation; Overcoming the Great Divide

I pledge allegiance to the Flag of the United States of America, and to the Republic for which it stands, one Nation under God, indivisible, with liberty and justice for all.

The election is over; the results mean joy and relief for some and frustration and concern for others. Regardless of where you fall on this wildly swinging pendulum of emotions and viewpoints, our nation is still one nation.

However, in my Facebook stream and in the various news reports the hatred, the misunderstanding, the ranting and the tirades and the closeness of the popular vote, reveal the deep and vast divide within our country.

And this is weighing on my shoulders.

I pledge allegiance to the Flag of the United States of America, and to the Republic for which it stands, one Nation under God, indivisible, with liberty and justice for all.

Why should I care? What does it matter?

There was once an issue that deeply divided our country. The hate grew and grew and divided families and friends and a nation; it filled fields with blood; it burned cities; it destroyed lives; and in the end freedom prevailed.

Could there ever be an issue that divided our strong, enduring country again; an issue that brought our government to the brink of civil war again; that threatened to destroy life as we know it? I hope not, but this level of divisiveness after an election of our local, state and national leaders is worrisome.

I pledge allegiance to the Flag of the United States of America, and to the Republic for which it stands, one Nation under God, indivisible, with liberty and justice for all.

Liberal and conservative; young and old; white, black, yellow, brown and purple; single and married; Christian, Jewish, Buddhist and atheist; accountant, nurse, teacher, business owner, farmer, lawyer and mechanic; we still pledge our allegiance to the same flag; to our one nation under God; together as one; because we care about our rights and the rights of our neighbors in the house next to ours and those in other states; and we believe our system of weights and balances won't fail us.

I believe we, as Americans, truly want to do the right thing by helping those in need and paying our fare share of taxes and being good citizens and working for our good and the good of all the people. I STILL believe in our government, in our laws, in our leaders and in our people, regardless of all the issues that divide us at the polls and in our daily lives.

Call me naïve, call me bleeding heart liberal, call me silly and stupid, but I will still believe and I will pledge allegiance to the Flag of the United States of America, and to the Republic for which it stands, one Nation under God, indivisible, with liberty and justice for all...because I am STEADFAST and I am ETERNALLY OPTIMISTIC and I have the FAITH of a mustard seed.

Will you join me in this pledge? Will you continue to believe in our great country? Over and out...

Anna

Love: This Little Light of Mine, I’m Gonna Let it Shine

LOVE

True LOVE

Real LOVE

Deep as an Ocean

All encompassing

Love does not conform; Love won't be stopped by laws

LOVE does not Discriminate; LOVE understands; LOVE Forgives

LOVE Survives

Love Heals

Love Saves

God is

LOVE

As we near this year's very heated, passionate election day, please take a moment to remember to Love your neighbors, your friends, your family regardless of what they believe or advocate for or who they vote for or whose signs are firmly planted in their yards.

Love is the most important thing we have. Live by example; let your love be a roaring fire that shines out for the world to see; don't hide it under a bushel. Love is not shameful. Over and out...

Anna

Vote Smart: Get the 411 Before You Go to the Polls

Campaign Season

Vote No; Vote Yes; Vote this; Vote that. It can get confusing with all the yard signs, Facebook posts and ads online and on TV and radio. To me, the most important thing is that people do vote, regardless of how they vote.

At this time of year, everyone complains about some particular candidate or a whole party's views; and everyone becomes a political expert full of world-changing opinions, but they do vote and where are they getting their information?

Voter ID

There are those who complain and rant and say how they would do it, but aren't even registered to vote and don't intend to ever set foot in a voting booth. To those people, I say that every vote can make a difference, but if they refuse to vote, then hold your tongues because you don't get an opinion involving candidates, policies or parties.

To those who do vote and do it quietly without sounding great bugles announcing who and why and wherefore, I admire you; for politics is a personal business, in my opinion. Now, that isn't to say that these people can't firmly stand up for what they believe is right by volunteering to aid a candidate's campaign or taking a firm position if asked about a particular issue or candidate. These people do these things, but not with great fanfare.

Then, there are those who must tell every friend on Facebook, every neighbor, co-worker, family member and even strangers their strong political beliefs. These people often push their views on others and seem to want to offend others in order to start a debate; the more public the better for these people. Generally, it's these people that need a stage for every aspect of life though, not just during the politically charged months of the year. These people I don't understand, and I try to avoid them at all costs. But they do vote, and for that, I respect them.

Hitting Home with the Voter

Sometimes, politics hits home and can affect families. For instance, many voters across the country will consider measures that deal with the definition of marriage, school referendums, taxes, etc .

Yesterday, I got an email from a group that supports the Minnesota Zoo, encouraging its members to be sure to ask their candidates if they support the Zoo, considering that a very small, but vital part of their budget comes from the state's budget. I have never considered the Zoo when I vote, but I will this year thanks to the email.

Voter Education

So, if you are going to vote, and I sincerely hope you do vote, then you do need to be sure you understand the issues and what each of your candidates stand for in this race; one way or another the winner of these races will impact your life.

For unbiased, unabashed candidate info go to Project Vote Smart. This non-profit, non-partisan organization gives you the information you need about each candidate and ballot measure in your voting precinct.

If your head is spinning from all the speeches, debates and ads, and you just want the facts, please, then go to FactCheck.org. This non-profit group is busy fact-checking and debunking ads, speeches, quotes, articles, etc. so that you can sleep easy and be clear about the issues and the candidates spinning them before you vote.

And if you just need to know exactly how your candidates stand on the issues and will most likely vote while in office/support as a local/state/federal official, then check On the Issues. Here you will find very succinct listings of where your guy or gal sits on a long list of important issues.

The Scoop

During the next month or so, there will be no escaping politics. It has invaded yards, voicemails, radio, TV, billboards, magazines, newspapers and stores...even children's stores. This photo was taken in a Toys R Us. You can try to maneuver the claw to grab and win a Mitt Romney doll or Barack Obama pillow head. I bet all the kids try for those over the veggie heads, angry birds and teddy bears. Over and out...

Anna

Eats, Shoots and Leaves or Eats Shoots and Leaves? {That’s the Debate}

Whose Right to Bear Arms?

"A well regulated Militia, being necessary to the security of a free State, the right of the people to keep and bear Arms, shall not be infringed."

That is the 2^nd Amendment of the United States Constitution, as passed by Congress in late 1791.

It was a different time back then. I don't think anyone can argue with that. But that's about all we, as a country, can agree on when it comes to this 27 word sentence.

On Monday, there was another tragic shooting; this one in College Station, Texas. There were 2 people killed and several injured by a disgruntled home owner, as a city constable attempted to serve an eviction notice.

In our world of violence, it would be easy to pass this tragedy off and say, "well, it was only two people….this time." But to those two persons' friends and families, this is the worst news story they have ever heard.

Just a little over a week ago, a man went to a Sikh Temple during Sunday morning worship and opened fire, killing 6 people.

And less than a month ago, a man went into a dark movie theater and killed 12 people.

Of course, in each of these instances, there were people injured, as well.

When does this violence end?

The Governor's Rationale

After the College Station shooting, I read a long, rambling quote from Gov. Rick Perry of Texas, in which stated his argument for people's right to own and carry guns. Here is part of that quote,

"And Texas I will suggest to you by and large a majority of them, a large majority of them believe that law abiding men and women should be able to have their weapons and the criminals are never going to listen to the law, they're always gonna have weapons, whatever source they want, whether they're legal or illegal. And I think it's wise for the people of the state of Texas to be able to defend themselves when there is a law breaker that comes into their midst with a weapon."

I'll concede Perry two points: 1) He's probably right that most Texans feel this way; and 2) criminals are always going to find a way to get a weapon, and they don't care what the laws say.

But I think his reasoning is flawed.

Law Abiding Mass Murderers

If you think back over the years of all the terrible, senseless shootings in our country, you will find that most of these ruthless, selfish murderers had obtained their guns and ammunitions lawfully and were not breaking any laws by owning guns as they, themselves, were not lawbreakers until the very day they took multiple lives during their respective rampages.

The shootings are not committed by gang members, assassins, petty crooks or hardened criminals. Most often, these people are quite intelligent, but delusional or mentally unstable and fueled by hate for certain groups of people. Often these types of people are dismissed as quiet loners or quirky characters, but no one would ever have expected this person to do what he eventually does.

These types know how to go about obtaining guns and ammunitions legally; they plot and plan and wait and stock up. They are people who are protected by the 2^nd Amendment as it is interpreted today.

A Militia State?

Secondly, I'd like to point out that in none of these instances that I am aware of was the assailant shot by a regular Joe who just happened along upon a murderous scene and who happened to be packing heat, taking advantage of his 2^nd Amend. right, as the good governor from Texas would argue might happen if we are allowed to possess and carry guns.

Along that same line, I'm a bit confused by Perry's statement: "And I think it's wise for the people of the state of Texas to be able to defend themselves when there is a law breaker that comes into their midst with a weapon."

Is Perry suggesting that Texas is a militia state? A state where a body of citizens is armed and trained by the state that can take law enforcement into its own hands? Surely not.

Stand Your Ground

Of course things didn't quite work out this way for George Zimmerman of FL when he lawfully owned and carried a gun for protection in a neighborhood that had been repeatedly struck by thieves and home invasions. Zimmerman acted as Captain of the Neighborhood Watch and claims he acted in self defense under Florida's Stand Your Ground Law the night he shot and killed an unarmed young man. And yet, he is now standing trial for his actions.

Stand Your Ground laws do indeed protect those who "use force in self-defense when there is reasonable belief of a threat, without an obligation to retreat first." Under these laws, a person could even use deadly force without a duty to retreat, in some cases; and in those cases, these laws would be considered a defense or immunity against criminal charges or civil suits.

However, clearly sometimes a person might make a mistake about when he could legally use his gun and when he is breaking the law himself.

My point is that do we really want people carrying guns everywhere they go and making a split second decision whether what they think they are seeing is really what's going on? I think not, but I know this sentiment is not agreed upon across the board.

The Scoop

The problem is all in the way it was written and passed out to the states and eventually ratified by those states. It's only slightly different than the original version passed by Congress; but the difference is enough to make interpretation a bit dicey.

Here is the way the states' version is written and was subsequently ratified as:

"A well regulated militia being necessary to the security of a free state, the right of the people to keep and bear arms shall not be infringed."

Do you see the difference? It may appear subtle, but it makes a big difference. In fact, it's why there is such a debate over exactly what the right was intended to protect. If only there had been copying machines in 1791.

And lastly, when the 2^nd Amendment was written and passed, guns that could fire off hundreds of explosive rounds in a matter of minutes couldn't even be imagined, much less a machine that would make exact duplications of a piece of legislation. Over and out…

Anna

On Fried Chicken and Casting Stones

Framing the Issue

This has NOTHING to do with fried chicken.

I have been mulling this over in my mind for a long time trying to find the right words to address this topic.

When we go to the polls in November, the voters in my state will be asked to make a number of important decisions. One of those questions regards an amendment to our state constitution concerning the definition of marriage within MN.

This topic has gripped our nation in recent months based on various ballot questions, the presidential election and the prospect of court rulings from the highest courts in the country in the coming year or two.

What am I talking about? Well, if you haven't figured it out yet, I'm referring to same-sex marriage. For the record, I am a heterosexual female and I'm married to a heterosexual male, but this debate coursing through our country has me steaming. So, why do I care?

For me, there are multiple layers to this issue.

Fueled by Fear

I don't generally argue about religious issues here on Motherly Law, but for me this discussion has absolutely nothing to do with religion. For me, this is a legal issue, just like other laws that regulate who can and cannot marry, when, where and why.

However, for some people this is a religious issue. What I can't figure out is where in the world these people got the idea that God would want them to use His name in this hateful, fear-based argument against other human beings.

What is clear to me is that this is exactly that: a hateful rant born out of fear and misunderstanding.

I ask you, do you know any same-sex couples? Well, I do, and you know what? They are exactly like "opposite-sex" couples. That's right. They casually chat with each other over a quiet dinner; they argue over whose turn it is to do the dishes or take out the trash or get up with the crying baby; they share inside jokes; they take their kids to the park; they buy groceries; they go to church on Sunday; they live their lives just like any other family in the neighborhood.

Fear of "these people" corrupting our kids and our "family values" is misplaced.

And for the record, I have known a number of "opposite-sex" couples who should have never been allowed to get married; who made a mess of their marriage; who destroyed their families; who certainly stained our idea of "family values"; some of these people are church-going, God-fearing people...for the record.

Historical Instances of Suppressing Rights

From a historical and legal review, I would ask you to think about all the laws that have sought to restrict the rights of other groups of people and have eventually been rectified and those laws amended or overturned in court. Two groups that certainly come to my mind are women and black people.

For far too many years a woman's rights to vote, to hold certain positions, get paid an equal amount for the same work, own property and make decisions concerning her own body were held in check by laws; laws made by white men. And for the record, women's suffrage was considered a religious issue in that fight too; it would ruin "family values" and all...for the record.

Our country felt so strongly about whether white men had the right to control, nay...own other human beings and treat them as property, as the laws referred to slaves, simply because their skin was darker than the men who made the laws, that our divided nation went to war to resolve this issue.

It may have taken hundreds of years, but we have finally reconciled these wrongs. We have finally recognized the rights of all human beings...oh wait. That's right. We are now fighting hard not to allow two adults who love each other the right to get married and raise a family as a married couple with all the rights a married couple has.

From a different legal perspective, many of the laws we have on our books are there to protect people from physical or mental harm, protect their property and be sure that basic human rights are not quashed. Laws are not intended to harm a particular group of people who believe something different than the majority or single out people of a certain creed simple because some of the people in the country don't understand or agree with their beliefs or lifestyle choices.

A legal union between two consenting adults of full mental capacity, regardless of gender, national origin, religion, etc. is a basic right that harms no one, at least in my book. How would you feel if your right to marry your spouse was suddenly in question?

The Scoop

You know, as I ponder this hateful rhetoric, I think that perhaps the real fear is that same-sex couples do act like "traditional" couples. I think the real fear is that "they" raise families like the rest of "us"; "they" are just like "us" when it comes to spousal duties, in-laws, career aspirations, planning the summer vacation, etc. And if "they" are like "us" then what? I think this elicits fear of the unknown for some people.

I would liken this fear to the uncomfortable, uneasy feelings that predominated white families as minority families began moving into "their" neighborhoods years ago. While most neighborhoods and communities are quite multi-cultural now and that fear has greatly subsided, the original prejudice was based on ignorance and misunderstanding of each other's cultures and values.

If we could all be loving, peaceful and kind to one another, as the Bible teaches us, then we would get along, learn from each other and live happily ever after. While that is clearly not possible, at least not yet, I suggest that we all follow the advice of Jesus found in John 8:7 when Jesus said,

If any of you is without sin, let him be the first to throw a stone...

This was in reference to a woman who had been caught committing adultery; a crime punishable by stoning. And in case you don't know the rest of the story, not one of the men present cast a stone at her or condemned her, especially not Jesus.

The point is, we have all sinned in various ways, and it's not for us to judge each other's actions and decisions and determine what's a sin and what's not and how each sin ranks on a scale 1-10.

This has NOTHING to do with fried chicken. We're talking about people, just like you and me.

And for the record, this is my opinon; a view I have a right to express thanks to our Constitution. What's your opinion? Over and out...

Anna

For more about this topic from me, please read: There's a Storm a Brewin' in Minnesota: NOH8MN