SOME VIDEOS AND OTHER MISCELLANEOUS ITEMS FROM MIMI

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Roman Gubern Garigia-Nogues

Dr. Román Gubern, PhD, Professor Emeritus in Audiovisual Communication, Autonomous University of Barcelona.

LATEST VIDEO FROM DR. GUBERN:

A PRESENTATION ON "THE CABINET OF DOCTOR CALIGARI (1919)" At Foundation Juan March

 

October 17, 2014     SPANISH

http://youtu.be/FvKlaGJc2yQ 

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OTHER VIDEO:

VIDEO ONE
In Spanish

  January, 2014,
 Museo Thyssen-Bornemisza (Madrid).

"Surrealism, Movies and Dreams"

"A movie is a dream bought with money." - - Román Gubern 

http://youtube/kDFRZtJrYS4

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VIDEO TW0
February, 2014, TVE (Barcelona)
"The Tramp"

 In Spanish, but non-speakers of Spanish can

 turn down the sound and enjoy the silent videos running in the Background.

Chaplin was born in 1889, but his most famous Character, the Tramp, was born in February 1914, and the Tramp has completed his first century of life. We celebrate it with an interview with Román Gubern. film historian, writer and Emeritus Professor of  at the Autonomous University of Barcelona, Spain. 

http://tinyurl.com/mhjgg2x

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VIDEO THREE 
In Spanish

December 2013, Technologico de Monterrey, Mexico
  
"Metamorfosis de la la lectura"

Presentación del libro de Román Gubern en la que Pablo Sol y Edith Mendoza presentan un análisis de la propuesta de Román Gubern sobre las diversas significaciones históricas y culturales que ha tenido el fenómeno de la escritura y de la lectura.

  http://splashurl.com/lw4jr3z

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VIDEO FOUR

In Spanish

Fundación Juan March, Madrid, Spain, October 2013.

 This series explores how various artistic approaches interpret the ideas of the surrealist movement. Román Gubern wonders about the possibility of thinking about a surreal film beyond the movement itself, tracing the surreal filmography and especially their canonical films. Also, two others you may want to skip -- Juan José Lahuerta, and Mary Tausiet (art).

http://splashurl.com/maaunaj 

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VIDEO FIVE
In Spanish

"El cine, una tecnología al servicio del conocimiento"

October 2012, Román Gubern, Conferencia en el ciclo de cine "Ciencia y vida artificial", que se celebró en el Espacio Fundación Telefónica.

http://splashurl.com/llvjhhu

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A SPECIAL VIDEO BY BIGAS LUNA (1946 - 2013)

"Organic farming in Southern Spain," (Tarragona) 2006 - 2013

YouTube: http://splashurl.com/kft6z7t

Luna was working on a movie and left the completed script for "Second Origen" (Segon Origen) in English and Catalan. It is now filming.  The sci-fi movie will release later in 2014, or in 2015: http://tinyurl.com/pndxarq.

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Video From Dr. Gubern

Cine, historia e ideología (Cinema, History and Ideology)

Conferencia de Román Gubern. Doctor en Derecho por la Universidad Autónoma de Barcelona y doctor honoris causa por la Universidad Carlos III de Madrid. Es presidente de la Asociación Española de Historiadores del Cine.

Centro Cultural de España en Montevideo, Uruguay - 19/8/2014. Or, in English: August 19, 2014.

http://youtu.be/AFOfbOBRUxs

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 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=l9mSfP66fVc

Statement from the Christian Left

 

 Published for information only:

We don’t care about your Super PACs;
We don’t care about Karl Rove;
Don’t care about the Koch Brothers or their massive treasure trove.

Don’t care about your voter suppression, or that you have to cheat to win;
We’ll expose your dirty tricks;
We’re not buying your bogus spin.

No more starving the poor to feed the fat cat!
Your policies stink.
It’s as simple as that.

- - The Christian Left 
 
See post during 2008 Presidential Campaign regarding hateful e-mail circulated about then candidate Senator Barack Obama.

http://bogglingthemind.blogspot.com/2007/11/senator-obama-hate-mail.html

FACEBOOK

TCL BLOG 

UCF

Just playing around here folks

Knight - University of Central Florida (UCF)

50th Anniversary of Astronaut John Glenn's Orbit

 

A Mercury program promotional graphic depicting all seven of America's first astronauts. From left to right, Scott Carpenter, Gordo Cooper, John Glenn, Gus Grissom, Wally Schirra, Alan Shepard, and Deke Slayton.

Author: Daniel Terdiman   Credit: NASA

 

Original Mercury 7 Astronauts - CBS special NASA slideshow

It's the 50th anniversary of the Mercury 7 Earth orbit of John Glenn, now 90, which was the first complete orbit for the USA from NASA, and it is being celebrated with a grand anniversary party this weekend though Monday. The festivities at the John F. Kennedy Space Center at Cape Canaveral, Florida, are certainly fitting. Although Russia orbited first (Sputnik), Glenn's feat is still considered a huge event in America's history.

The Friendship 7 capsule, with Glenn soaring solo atop a Mercury-Atlas rocket, circled Earth three times on February 20, 1962. Astronaut Scott Carpenter, 86, who orbited in the next mission, has joined Glenn at the Cape. He and Glenn are the only surviving original astronauts from the Mercury 7 missions.

To see pictures about the Space Program, click the title of this post. Read more there, and if you enlarge either of the photos on the left sidebar on that page, you can view 500 photos. Go for it!

A Few Words From Bill Moyers

Video - Bill Moyers answers some questiions.

Ask Bill: How can ordinary people help to overturn or nullify the Citizen United Decision? from BillMoyers.com on Vimeo.

Karen Handel Resigns from SGK

First, please read the previous post below this one for more about this issue, more links, and to understand this one better. At Susan G. Kormen (SGK) for the Cure (breast cancer), Karen Handel resigned as VP of Kormen yesterday.

That is a step forward for SGK. However, some don't know that the reversal apparently says, "Planned Parenthood may apply for funding." There is no guarantee of SGK getting it, so there is more to do.

The investigation, spearheaded by U.S. Representative Cliff Sterns (R, FL, 6th District), was cited by Karen Handel when she pushed the SGK "policy" to deny funding to any organization undergoing an investigation.

Now, the biggest problem for SGK is Representative Cliff Sterns, who initiated the Congressional investigation of SGK in the U.S. House of Representatives. Luckily, he is in a state of political limbo. His 6th District has been redrawn, and he is now in the 11th District, although that district has not yet been carved in stone. Republicans are still hassling over the boundaries. 

Sterns, 72, must run for re-election this year, and all Florida Congressional Districts have been redrawn due to the 2010 census. It turns out that Rep. Sterns will run in the 3rd District, not his new District 11, because he can choose to do that since 60 - 70% of his constituents are now in the 3rd. He can choose to do that even though he lives in Ocala, FL, not in the 3rd District. This will be his 13th run for Congress.

The 3rd District is currently represented by Democrat Corrine Brown (African-American, 65), who has represented the district for 20 years. The current representative for Florida’s 11th Congressional District is Democrat Kathy Castor (D, European-American, 45), and Sterns would have only about 30% of his previous constituents. Therefore, his best hope to survive was to choose the 3rd District. Or, was it?

One of the organizations which solicit action from members on this issue is MoveOn.org. It also solicits money. I welcome comments on this blog, no solicitations but, coming soon, you may signup to join or follow it.  ;-D


TO BE CONTINUED . . . . .

PP and SGK Controversy

IN PROGRESS

The Planned Parenthood (PP) and Susan G. Komen (SGK) dispute  is not over, even if SGK backtracks completely. The real culprits here form a trifecta of cohorts, and I believe it is likely that they, along with other unknown persons, deliberately set out to sabotage PP by using their positions at SGK, along with a Congressman.

I will need to check the dates of when Stearns opened his investigation, and the dates that Raffaelli and Handel assumed their positions at SGK to postulate clearly, but I don't have time to do that the next couple of days. However here's my very strong hunch:

(1) U.S. Rep Cliff Stearns (R, FL) is on the Energy and Commerce and Veterans' Affairs committees, nothing to do with women's health, yet he opened a Congressional  "investigation" of PP.

(2) John Raffaelli, a top Washington DC lobbyist, is on the board of SGK, and heads SGK's Race for the Cure. To my chagrin he is a graduate of American University and a Democrat, which seems like a contradiction to what he may have advised Nancy Brinker, founder and CEO of SGK, to do.

Speaking as a member of the SGK Board, he admitted to NY Times that the "Komen Board adopted changes to its grant-funding process . . . specifically to end its relationship with Planned Parenthood, because Raffaelli said that Komen had become increasingly worried that an investigation of Planned Parenthood by Representative Cliff Stearns [R, FL], would damage Komen’s credibility with donors."

(3) Karen Handel, also recently appointed Senior Vice President, Public Policy, ran as a Republican for governor of Georgia advocating the bringing down of PP, and opposing same sex marriage. She was endorsed by former governor, Sarah Palin, and lost.  Brinker said in an interview with MSNBC  that "Handel did not play a significant role in the policy change." [Note the adjective, "significant".]

Seems to me that Brinker, does not know all that has been going on within SGK. I was awestruck by her naivete. I, on the other hand have spent a lifetime (literally) studying fascism, propaganda, politics, the psychology of communication, covert operations, and the tactics of Karl Rove, which mimic that of the Nazis combined with those of the Israeli Massad (Institute for Intelligence and Special Operations). I know, it's an Oxymoron. However, I smell a big rat.

Here's how I see it, Handel is in charge of public policy. Raffaelli is on the SGK board as head of The Race for the Cure. Both surely have the undivided attention of Brinker, who most likely respects their advice.

Stearns launches his so-called investigation. Stearns and Handel are Republicans. Raffaelli, a huge DC lobbyist, is going to advocate for whatever Congressman Stearns wants. Wallah, there's the crew to bring down PP.

There may be a previous connection between the three of them outside of SKG. All three have publicly expressed their displeasure of PP, plus Stearns and Handel have publicly expressed their stances against abortion. This warrants further investigation.

Underlying this? The three of them don't like PP because it performs abortions for financially challenged women, and they could have manipulated Brinker. I think she is clueless.

 TO BE CONTINUED .......

 SOURCES:

Komen Website: http://ww5.komen.org/

New York Times, February 2, 2012: http://goo.gl/WlWGL

Los Angeles Times, February 3, 2012: http://goo.gl/dZUOY

I welcome comments on this blog, and I shall be notified when comments are posted. See below.

Hello, Again!

Hello, again. I didn't realize it has been so long since I have posted on this blog. I am currently writing some drafts and next week, after the Academy Awards are over and the hoopla dies down, I will get back to posting more here. Why now? Because of the mind boggling events that are happening in the Arab world. Also, the events are beginning to affect Iran and Iraq.

Well, I guess I can share with you that I had broken my left shoulder just prior to the ice storm of 2009. I had horrible damage all over my property and no one to help me with cleanup. As soon as I was feeling better and had found someone to help me, I fell again and broke my wrist. Both were on the left side but still debilitating. To top it all off, last summer we had a huge sand storm. Sand is still filtering into my house.

It all began in November 2009, two years ago, and I am beginning to come back. So is my yard, but my house needs more cleaning. There are still repairs to be made on my property.

I am currently writing a series: Two Brothers Who Hoodwinked America. As soon as that is ready, I will be posting it here. Meantime, whatever comes up, even catchy-catch-can, is not off limits. Today, much we encounter is mind boggling.


See you back here soon.

Do I detect that Spring is just around the corner? Click the title of this post and it will take you to my current active blog,
Mimi at the Movies.

Ice Storm 2009 - Have Electricity!

Electricity came on at 7:00 last night. Not sure about Hornersville yet.

S.O.S. E-mail re: Ice Storm 2009

I am happy to report that the Salvation Army is still feeding us. Here is a copy of the "S.O.S" e-mail I sent last week to family and friends. Perhaps you can help too:

Hello, Everyone,

I'm sending this general e-mail to let you know about the big ice storm of 2009 that devastated this area two weeks ago. I am without power and have been since the wee hours of 27 January. So is everyone else here, unless they have a generator. We hope we will have electricity early next week.

Senath-Hornersville schools opened on the 11th. They have generators and have cleaned the debris from the school grounds. Kennett schools may open tomorrow, 16th.

I rented a laptop Saturday, hence I can send this e-mail. You can read more about my adventures on my "Boggling the Mind" Blog as I hope to continue to post there.

You can see pictures of the impact to the area sent by viewers of KAIT-TV in Jonesboro, AR, (http://www.kait8.com/). I took pictures but because I am without electricity, I can't post them. Links to local newspapers are on my Hornersville Page (http://mimifink.virtualave.net/Hornersville.html)

However, the purpose of this e-mail is to tell everyone about the way the people in the southernmost counties of Missouri have stepped up to the challenge. Everyone is helping each other and those who may not be able to help even themselves.

We were both blessed and cursed by this storm. We were blessed because, despite the massive damage to trees, there has been very little structural damage, lose of lives, or personal property. However, because FEMA bases its emergency assistance primarily upon those criteria, small towns like mine will receive the minimum of assistance because of little structual damage.

I want to tell you that this ice storm has really impacted the finances of small towns, and it has hit my hometown hard. Therefore, donaions to help cover the cost of the massive cleanup, food and shelter for some residents (especially the elderly and shutins), are needed and will be greatly appreciated.

All the above is being done in the Community Center. The roof has been patched, but it still leaks in placed. It has needed replacing for over three years. The citizens have been raising money, but it needs to be fixed now.

I plan to start posting on my "Mimi at the Movies" Blog as soon as I have a place to charge the laptop other than when I am in the car.

May God bless you and yours,

Mimi

Ice Storm Fallout

It is now day 19 days since the big storm. I think. Every day is much like the last.

I am still getting a hot meal once a day, fruit and snacks, and ice from the Salvation Army. The Red Cross pulled out over a week ago, but the SA is still here. God bless them and the volunteers in my home town!

Yesterday, I went to a MARC conference at the American Legion building at the County Seat. Filled out a lot of papers, trying to get help to clean up the debris in my yard. We shall see.

When I returned, I noticed that the line hanging down between the pole and my house has been fixed. I think it is the lightning diverter. Also, my outside light was no longer hanging by one chain. It is securely back on the pole. Most important, I found a green sticker on my meter. That means, I am good-to-go!

The word is that we may get electricty about Wednesday. From their lips to God's ears!!

Ice Storm of 2009

Sorry that I have not posted in over two weeks. The Ice Storm of 2009 roared in 26 January and lasted two days. Power is still off. Everywhere I look there are no standing light poles. 90,000 people were out of power in Missouri alone. About 1/2 of them still are.

I have been following what is happening with the Academy Awards, and shall begin posting on my "Mimi at the Movies" blog as soon as possible.

I live in the house my parents built and almost everything is run on Liquid Propane, but my furnace requires electricity to run the circulating fan. I had a laptop but it went down a few days before the storm and I took it to my tech. He determined the problem is the Motherboard. Three days ago, I was able to retreive it. It is now in wthe hands of UPS going to Temple, Texas, for repair or replacement. Meanwhile, I have rented a laptop and am charging it in my car.

The Red Cross was here, but they have turned over their Meals on Wheels and meals at the local community center to the Salvation Army. If anyone would like to help the people in Missouri and Arkansas, they are being asked to send a check to the Salvation Army and/or the Red Cross and mark their check "Ice Storm 2009 Relief." You may designate a particular state, if you wish. Your contribution is tax deductible, and since almost 1/2 million have been affected in.six states, they will certainly appreciate any donation.

At first, the only heat I had was from my propane cookstove. I have a propane line into my house, so a friend went out and bought me a propane infared wall heater that does not need venting. He hooked it up and I have been toasty warm. I also have hot water, and a telephone (land line and cell), just no power, so I see by a battery-powered lantern and flashlights.

But, everything considered, I am well and functioning. They say it may be at least another week before power is restored. I'll try to keep you posted.

Have We Overcome?

Who is Tom Toles? Tom Toles at The Washington Post

Change is Here!

Thanks to the Missouri Democrats for the image!

Top Alaskan Paper Endorses Obama

Today, Alaska's largest newspaper, the Anchorage Daily News, endorsed Sen. Barack Obama for president.

The newspaper dished Senator McCain for stumbling and fumbling in dealing with the current economic crisis in the U.S., and their own governor for lack of V.P. qualifications. They showered Obama with praise for his reaction to the crises, writing, "In a time of grave economic crisis, he displays thoughtful analysis, enlists wise counsel and operates with a cool, steady hand."

They wrote that, "Of the two candidates, Sen. Obama better understands the mortgage meltdown's root causes and has the judgment and intelligence to shape a solution, as well as the leadership to rally the country behind it." [Few people know that Obama's father was one of Africa's leading authorities in economics when he was alive.]

Of their own Governor Sarah Palin they wrote that she has demonstrated success as governor, but that few would argue that Palin is truly ready to step into the job of being leader of the free world. Her passion, charisma and strong work ethic are not substitutes for what she lacks in necessary skills to be one heartbeat from the leader of the free world. They not only found Palin a risky choice at this moment in history, but Senator McCain as well, and indicated Alaskans would not let the fact that their governor was on the ticket cloud their good judgment when they vote.

Are McCain and Palin Playing with a Bad Deck?

Sarah Palin is fulfilling her role of a VP candidate attack dog as she steps up her attacks on Barack Obama. However, the question is, "Is Palin playing with a deck of race / fear cards in a covert suggestive manner?"

Associated Press (AP) writer, Douglas K. Daniel, in an article released today, "Analysis: Palin's words may backfire on McCain," alludes to the possibility. He reports Palin, in a speech aimed at Republican donors in Englewood, Colorado, yesterday (Saturday), proclaimed, "Our opponent . . . is someone who sees America, it seems, as being so imperfect, imperfect enough, that he's palling around with terrorists who would target their own country." The terrorist to whom she was referring is Professor William Ayers and his association with the 1960's - 70's Weather Underground.

Daniel writes that Palin's speech is, "A deliberate attempt to smear Obama. . . . McCain's ticket-mate echoed the line at three separate events Saturday."

This morning, on the talking-heads television political shows, there was a hord of Republican "spokespersons," some of whom I never heard of and the majority being white, dutifully mouthing the same talking point. Is this the October surprise McCain has referenced since the Republican National Convention? Is this all he has?

Has McCain and Palin's handlers nothing constructive to put forth that addresses the problems every American is facing, or will face, due to the financial mess our entire country, most of Europe, the far East, and South America are facing, or beginning to face. Even the Middle Eastern Arab countries, the UAE, Saudi Arabia, and Egypt, etc., are "whoaing-up," ** by tightening their cash out-flow.

** Sorry, I'm trying to get "folksy" like Palin. "Whoa!" is the command a farmer would give to the mules, when farmers used mules, as he pulled the reigns hard for them to stop. "Whoa-up," is the command he gave to indicate to the mules to prepare to stop, as he gently pulled the reigns back. So, he would first command, "Who-o-o-a up" then, "Whoa!" Will the Middle Eastern countries ultimately cry, "Whoa!" and stop investing in American enterprises? How about China? Either possibility is a far more fearful prospect than anyone with whom Obama has, or may have, associated.

Palin also has changed her primary tune. Now, her mantra is, "This is not a man who sees America like you and I see America. We see America as a force of good in this world. We see an America of exceptionalism." Hey! What happened to the corrupt, broken Government / Washington / America - we are going to fix - crusade? Note that she never says, Washington, D.C.

I object to her use of the collective pronoun here since WE own the Government buildings in Washington, D.C., and WE are the Government. Has she never read the Preamble to the U.S. Constitution? She and McCain, alone, can't fix anything relating to America. The American collective WE must join together to do that.

As to William "Bill" Ayers. He is a white man, once a member of the Vietnam-era Weather Underground, an organization which claimed responsibility for a dozen bombings between 1970 and 1974. It was, indeed, a terrorist organization acting against the American Government. However, the former Weatherman, himself, was never convicted of any crime, and now holds the position of distinguished professor of education at the University of Illinois, Chicago.

He and Obama are not, and never have been, "pals." Obama was all of eight years old during the time of the Weather Underground. The two met years later when they both worked in some organizations in Chicago to help the poor, while Obama was a Community Organizer there. When Obama first entered local politics, Ayers hosted a fundraiser for him.

Later, when Republicans associated Obama with Ayers and Ayers' history in the Weather Underground, Obama denounced Ayers' behavior, as he has done with the radical Christian Evangelical minister, Jeremiah Wright. Obama has made it crystal clear to any intelligent individual that he does not condone any of Ayers and Wright's present, or past, radical beliefs or actions. For more, see Article.

So, is there a fear-of-black-men card in Palin's false associations? Obliquely, there could be. Palin seems to be trying to pull old fears about black males, and prejudices again black males, into the forefront for her listeners, who might subsequently associate any such fears they might have with Obama. If a black man, or any other individual, can be connected with a primal fear, the connector has a potent weapon.

Think about the movie, TO KILL A MOCKINGBIRD. There was "black male phobia" when the movie was made and there are still pockets of such ignorant behavior in America, especially in the South.

Therefore, Palin's reasoning could be: Obama is a black male (hold on, I'll get to the white part), so she mistakenly accuses him of being a man who is different from Americans (not white), and a man to fear (he's black). The misleading notion here is that Obama is a black male.

He is 1/2 black (father) and 1/2 white (mother). Thus, his official racial classification is by-racial, or Mulatto. But, Palin isn't educated enough to understand cloaked nuances. She says whatever her former G.W. Bush speechwriter writes for her, understand or not.

She is too undereducated and downright stupid to do otherwise, and she is moving McCain and the Republican anti-Obama "talking heads" into the same "stupid" column with her. She is doing so with the vitality and excitement McCain falsely sees as a counter balance to his declining mental and physical faculties. In reality, she is a reminder of them to many Americans.

Yes. I wrote Palin is downright stupid, but I have not called her Alaskan trailer park trash - - yet.

If McCain's campaign is subtly trying to play the "race / hate card" with this tactic, it will fail. If it does, his handlers will then move on to Obama's former relationship with the Reverend Jeremiah Wright, also of Chicago, and try that one. Trust me, that tactic will fail, too, because I am sure that most voting Americans are way past such asinine associations and racial bigotry.

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The author of this blog holds three academic degrees, including a M.A. in Communication, specializing in behavioral communication.

Palin Polls Fall 12 Points

Tom Toles of The Washington Post.

Sarah Palin's poll numbers have fallen 12 points since the Republican National Convention. One-third of registered voters planning to vote for McCain have switched to Obama because of Palin on the Republican ticket. The issues with voters tend to be her lack of knowledge and qualifications, experience, and an erosion of the trust factor.

At the same time, G.W. Bush's approval rating is now 21%. G.W. and Sarah certainly have one thing in common, the way they pronounce "nuclear". Director Oliver Stone calls G.W., "a most dangerous man," and today McCain pulled out of Michigan.

At a recent American Film Event, actor Jim Carrey said (paraphrased), "I am feeling really good about Sarah Palin because I used to live in Canada, and I could see Alaska from there. So I know everything there is to know about her."

If you don't know anything about Jim Carrey, you might interpret that remark as highly complimentary to Palin. If you have seen a Carrey movie, or watched an interview with him, you can assume Carrey really does know more about Palin than she thinks he does.

She watches simpleton sports movies, and can't remember the title of a single magazine or newspaper she read before John McCain tapped her on the shoulder.

The way Sarah Palin speaks: "Before we make a judgment we have got to see what happens a few days after tonight's debate ya betch'a, and hope eye-ran don't pull a nuke-u-ler attack in the meantime."

Well, that's the way she talks, folks - - few paragraphs, few periods, often improper grammar, and a limited vocabulary. I'll be back on the weekend after I check the political polls and financial currents.

Is Palin Beginning to Pale?

OPINION
Tom Toles of The Washington Post

Is the enthusiasm for Governor Sarah Palin for veep beginning to pale? Many think it is. John McCain hasn't helped by keeping her sequestered, allowing her only limited appearances and mainly with him. She memorized her nomination speech, written by a former G.W. speechwriter. She did such a good job at memorizing and delivering one speech that all she does now is repeat that speech, and repeat it, and repeat it . . . .

One might think she is a princess in waiting for coronation the way McCain and his supporters are treating her. She is far from being much of anything.

I, and many others, consider her undereducated, inexperienced, a pompous know-it-all, and certainly a spotlight-seeking wannabe. Some have actually called her Alaskan trailer park trash. I haven't called her that - - yet.

What she does to the English language is worse than what G.W. does, and she waves her retarded baby like a badge of honor. A baby, which if she is elected will get all of its special care at the expense of the American taxpayers, perhaps for life. That kid's care will burn through thousands and thousands of dollars in the next four years alone, and he will never be a productive member of society.

Any thinking person knows Palin is not equipped to be Vice President of the United States to a 72-year-old-man whose mental faculties will only decrease. After his overreaction to the Wall Street supposed crisis, some think his faculties are failing fast.

He has been treated for cancer two or three times, and anyone who faces reality knows that cancer never goes away for good. It is always waiting to reactivate.

Therefore, if he is elected and re-diagnosed with active cancer, he could be debilitated for an extended time, or die. It can happen to any of us at any time, so the odds are high that it could happen to him in the next four years. In that case, this small-town know-nothing WILL be President of the United States. To even consider this fibbity britches for veep is an affront to our founding fathers, all our ancestors, and everyone who has sacrificed themselves in our wars to preserve our feedom.

Dear God. Please save America from her follies.

Lost Interest in the Presidential Election?

OPINION

Who is Tom Toles?

I guess, if you are a Christian Evangelical extremist, you are probably happy with the way things are going in the Presidential campaign. I guess you can get very emotional about the nominated Republican V.P., identify, admire, emulate. I recommend that you save that for church where your heart can be strangely warmed, you can cry, shout, and you know you are right with God, ready to catch the holy train for Heaven. Hallelujah!

That's fine in church. Religion is all about emotions. Elections, on the other hand, are about getting the hard facts and making decisions.

Letting our emotions run away with us is like leaving the house for a long journey where there are no gas stations, simply calculating that we will be able to run on air. Elections are about using our brains and putting our emotions in a box for a few weeks.

I hope Americans are not being hoodwinked again like they were in 2000. Voting in an election is the biggest job a citizen in a democracy has.

Too often, members of political parties are too comfortable in their state of being. Well, this is not the time for that, because comfortable times are fleeting.

Too much reliance on religious ideology is dangerous to a democracy. It has been proven over and over again. Adolph Hitler was a religious man, a practicing Roman Catholic, so was Francisco Franco of Spain. Too much religion is unhealthy for the mind.

Just like an automobile needs gas to run, democracy needs well-informed citizens who constantly pay attention to our government - state, national and local. We all need to constantly read, think, listen, and discuss the issues, problems, and possible solutions. It is our obligation. Our job. We must show up and on time, informed and confident.

It is OUR Government wherever it is, state, national, local, and we are as responsible for it as we are for our spouses, siblings, children, pets, parents. When candidates bash "The Government," they are showing a great lack of knowledge.

To the power seeker running for office, "The Government / Washington," an entity to them that is disassociated from them, is broken, corrupt, inept - - add some more of your own. They will reform it, make it perfect. It will run like an automobile that just had a tune up -- smooth, straight, fast, getting fantastic mileage, saving money, and then everyone will be happy.

The concerned person running for office considers those currently in power responsible for any adverse conditions. The thinking candidate believes in the Constitution and will defend the Consitution, not attempt to rewrite it for his / her own gain.

The people who have been running our National Government, more who are non-elected than elected by you and I, have gotten this country in such a high pile of horse pucky, all our lives are going to be difficult for a long time to come if we don't put our emotions in a box, along with our dislikes, our prejudices, our biases, our wants and our give me, give me.

We must actually vote for what is best for our country, not yours, not mine alone - - OUR country. What is concrete, what is real, not based on some belief. Otherwise, the bad times may be a long time here. We either stand together for strength through the tough times that are coming, or we will all fall singularly and painfully into an abyss without warning.

DNC Parties Hearty!

Tonight, the official work of the Democratic National Convention is almost done. There is only one major thing to do, Barack Obama's acceptance of the Democratic Nomination for President of the United States, but there will be remarks, salutes, and entertainment preceding that.

One important presentation is a salute to the late Dr. Martin Luther King, Junior, as today is the 45th anniversary of his 1963 "I have a Dream" speech at the Lincoln Memorial in Washington, D.C. One line is that speech is, "Let freedom ring from the snow-capped Rockies of Colorado."

Tonight's venue is the open stadium at Invesco Field at Mile High, which can seat about 75,000. The agenda highlights includes (all subject to change, not in order of appearance, and times are EDT):

(7 - 8)
Video & Remarks - Howard Dean (former Governor of Vermont) and Chair of the Democratic Party; Tribute to the late Dr. Martin Luther King, Junior, featuring his daughter Bernice and oldest son MLK, III; remarks by Governor Bill Richardson (NM); and live performances by will.i.am, accompanied by John Legend (piano), Agape Choir, and band; and singer / songwriter Sheryl Crow.
(8 - 9)
Remarks by U. S. Representative Mark Udall (CO), Governor Tim Kaine (VA); and Albert "Al" Gore, former Veep. Plus, a live performance by Stevie Wonder.
(9 - 10)
Retired Generals Tribute by Air Force Maj. Gen. J. Scott Gration (Ret), accompanied by additional generals; remarks by a wounded Iraq veteran, John Kuniholm, granddaughter of late President Eisenhower, Susan Eisenhower, and Senator Dick Durbin (IL); plus something called, "American Voices Program" with a list of people.
(10 - 11) Video / Remarks -
SENATOR BARACK OBAMA
DEMOCRATIC PRESIDENTIAL CANDIDATE
And, perhaps, some unannounced tributes to Obama and Biden.

Speaker of the House of Representatives, Nancy Pelosi who is Permanent Chair, Democratic National Convention and who opened the Convention, will adjurn the Convention.

TONIGHT'S FULL SCHEDULE. For official Obama / Biden Web site, click title of this post.

Last Night, former President Bill Clinton set the agenda for the 2008 Democratic Electoral Campaign, which will launch officially tonight with Senator Barack Obama's acceptance speech. Clinton wrote his own speech. He presented the two major things that must be restored in the next four years to keep America moving forward, not slipping backward as it has in the last eight years, assuring: (A) the American Dream for every American regardless of race, gender, religion, physical or mental abilities, or sexual orientation, and (B) America's political standing among the other nations in the world.

He emphasized that we must keep our military superiority, but it is more important to lead through the example of America's principles of democracy than to use our military might as the solution to international problems. His words: Lead through example, rather than as an example.

I like to lay it out this way in broader terms. Under our unique Constitution every American is guaranteed individual freedom (vote, live, work, earn a sufficient wage, own private property, marry, procreate, travel, move, to be religious, or not, etc.) without governmental interference; a judiciary grounded in the Constitution (interprets rather than legislates); a legislature that makes laws for the benefit of all, not the few, and sets policy based upon Constitutional rights, not upon a legislator's individual values; and a Chief Executive who upholds the Constitution, setting the ultimate example for other nations based upon the overreaching A and B main points above. For the Commander in Chief, Clinton emphasized not allowing any torture, unlawful imprisonment, or denial of Habeas Corpus to any individual, citizen or not, who is connected to the U.S. in any way. By default, that includes those at Guantanamo Bay, but Clinton didn't specifically mention Gitmo. He emphasized no abuse of military personnel.

Also, last night, Senator John Carey took care of some lingering "what ifs" from the 2004 campaign, and former President Clinton confirmed former First Lady Hillary's remarks from the previous night.

I was thrilled at the reception Senator Clinton received the night before, but her husband's was stupendous. To put it bluntly, the delegates showed that they still love him, and probably wish he was their candidate this year. Using a baseball metaphor, the former President hit the ball out of the convention center many times. Way out.

Most importantly, he reaffirmed his and Hillary's overwhelming support for the nominated candidates, Senators Barack Obama and Joseph Biden. Shortly afterward, Senator Biden accepted the nomination for Vice President, and gave his acceptance speech - - good and solid just like him.

DNC: Bill Clinton and Joe Biden in Spotlight Tonight

The Clintons - Former President and First Lady.

WEDNESDAY SCHEDULE

Last night at the Pepsi Convention Center in Denver, Hillary Rodham Clinton commanded the attention of everyone in the center for over 30 minutes. She gave one of the best, if not the best, speeches of her life.

Daughter Chelsea introduced her mother, and when Senator Clinton appeared the delegates rose in a solid standing ovation that lasted almost five minutes. To break the underlying tension she referred to her supporters as, "The sisterhood of the traveling pantsuits," and made it crystal clear that her wish is for them to file the primary away, and solidly unite behind Obama and Biden in the national election.

Convention delegates have been clamoring for more "red meat" in the speeches, and they finally got it last night. Her mantra was, "No way. No how. No McCain," admonishing the delegates that the most important task before them is to insure that Democrats are in the White House come January 2009. The consensus afterward by the media watchers is that she came across strong, positive and sincere.

I was watching Bill Clinton closely. Early in the speech he encouraged his wife by mouthing, "I love you" at least three consecutive times while the camera was on him. Genuine love and pride oozed from his eyes as they almost filled with tears.

Delegates have not seen this between Barack and Michelle Obama, so far. Some have suggested the couple is "too business-like" toward each other.

Last night was ladies night. Tonight will be gentlemen's night.

Former President William Clinton will also speak in prime-time (top of the hour, 8 - 9). The headline prime-time speaker tonight is Vice Presidential Nominee Senator Joseph Biden (9 - 10 hour, CDT).

There is no doubt that Bill Clinton has been angry that Barack Obama, considered by many as a young upstart indorsed early on by the powerful Kennedy family and media mogul Oprah Winfrey, out boxed Hillary to win the nomination. Can Bill take his wife's advice? Has he left anger behind? Can he genuinely support Obama? We shall see tonight.

Some of the other men expected to speak today and/or tonight are: Former Senator Tom Daschle; Governor Bill Richardson; Senators Evan Bayh, John Kerry, Jay Rockefeller, and Ken Salazar; House Majority Whip James E. Clyburn; and Congressman Robert Wexler (D-FL) along with Chicago Mayor Richard Daley. Representative Patrick Murphy (D-PA) and Iraq War veteran Tammy Duckworth will lead a tribute honoring those who give so much to secure our nation’s future - - veterans, active duty military and their families.
See previous posts for more info, times, etc.

DNC: Hillary's Night Tonight

Candidates John Warner and Barack Obama earlier this month in Virginia.

Senator Hillary Rodham Clinton will be in the spotlight tonight at, or about 9:00 local / 10:00 Eastern, in the Pepsi Convention Center, Denver. She will receive a video tribute and will speak. During this time, the delegates are expected to give her a rousing standing applause in appreciation of her campaign.

She will be the star tonight, but please pay some attention to an ascending political star delivering the Keynote Address at or about 8:00 in Denver. He is former Virginia Governor Mark Warner, who is now running for the U.S. Senate.

I met Warner when he was governor of Virginia. He came to a nearby Missouri town with, and to support, the then U.S. Senatorial candidate from Missouri, Claire McCaskill, who gave the Keynote Address last night as U.S. Senator Claire McCaskill (MO). Both she and Warner threw their hats into the ring for Senator Obama almost at the start of the primary.

As a student at American University (DC) in the late 1950s, I was very active in the Civil Rights movement. Our sister university was Howard University (DC). I was good friends with Dr. Mordecai Johnson and his wife, Anna. The students from AU jointed the students at HU and protested the policy of the Hot Shoppe restaurant chain in DC of not serving blacks, and it eventually welcomed black customers in the early 1960s.

I also helped with the election of the first black partner in Price Waterhouse, now PricewaterhouseCoopers (PwC). His name is Frank Alston, who subsequently became head of PwC's Government Contracts Office in Washington, and is now retired. He supports Obama, too. See his contributions.

I was in the Los Angeles Office, which was the home of the main Government Contracts Office until it was later moved to Washington. It is interesting to me that the head partner in that office (a division of the audit department) prior to Alston was also named Johnson. Frank Johnson is also retired now, like myself.

Although I originally supported Senator Clinton, true to my gender and admiring her abilities, and was devestated when the Democratic political machines in Boston (Kennedy) and Chicago (Daley - Winfrey) rolled her out, I was thrilled to watch and listen to Michelle Obama last night.

I have worked all my life for tolerance and equal opportunity for all. I am so proud to have lived to see an African-American man nominated for the highest office in the United States of America. Unlike the current man in the White House, whom I have never and never shall, honor with the title of President, I shall be proud to call Barack Obama, President Barack Obama!

Access the DNC Web site by clicking the title of this post.

DNC Makes Deal With Senator Clinton?

Inside the Pepsi Convention Center, Denver, Colorado

The speculations running through the news services today are:

(1) Senator Clinton will give a prime-time convention speech Tuesday night, and the following day she will meet with her delegates as a group. She has insisted that she will not tell them how to vote, but she is expected to release them from their pledge to her and urge them to support Senator Obama.

(2) The roll call vote is still scheduled to proceed Wednesday, but the expectation now is that when the New York State delegation is called, Clinton herself will move to elect Senator Obama by acclamation.

(3) The chair should then put the motion on the floor, call for a second and a voice-vote by the entire delegation. I expect delegates to respond, "yes" en mass. Then, Senator Obama will have the nomination without question.

Of course, one big question remains, "Will all those die hard delegates of Senator Clinton accept reality and unite for the good of America, or will some continue to sulk?

- - - - - - - - - -
To watch the convention on your computer in HD, full schedules, special events, etc., click title of this post.

For full Prime-Time TV Coverage, beginning at 8:00 PM EDT, check your local PBS station, or click here to find nearest station. Check your local stations.

HINT - The Convention Prime-Time begins at 8:00 EDT / 7:00 CDT (Denver time), and ends at 11 Eastern / 10 Central. The Keynote Address is usually in the 8 - 9 / 9 - 10 hour, and the "major segment" address (Michelle Obama, Hillary Clinton, etc.) are scheduled for the 9 - 10 / 10 - 11 hour. Of course, the schedule is subject to change, but they should be at the top of those hours, so don't tune in late.

Will Angry Clinton Supporters Accept Divorce?

Hopeful Hillary Clinton

Will American Women Vote Their Own Principles?

The question most often being asked by the hosts of the "talking heads" on the television / radio political shows is, "Will Senator Hillary Clinton's supporters vote for the Obama - Biden Democratic ticket?" The response was basically, "Let's wait to see what Hillary says in her speech at the National Democratic Convention on Tuesday night."

There are many organized groups of women who are damn angry about Senator Clinton's miss, and jump to place blame on anyone or anything they possibly can. You know what all this reminds me of? A group of divorced middle-aged hate-all-men-in-the-universe women screamers. I know the type because I have been there. Thankfully, I have passed that stage in my life. I accepted my divorce and moved on years ago, making my own and my children's future my utmost priority.

Psychologically, I think these women are bashing Obama because they can't accept the fact that he dumped Hillary for Joe, i.e., emotionally "divorced her." Come on, ladies. Get over it.

Also, I am one of those older middle-class women who lives in a rural area. Nationally, three out of five such women say they will move from the Democratic Party and vote for John McCain. I am not among them, even before Hillary speaks. I was born a Democrat and I shall die a Democrat. There. Now, you know from where I come.

One of my earliest dreams was to see a woman elected President of the United States in my lifetime. I hoped the bravery of Senator Clinton might make my dream come true. Unfortunately, that dream has been dashed, but I still have a dream, an immediate dream - - to see any and everyone associated with the Bush Administration out of Washington in January 2009!

I do not want them out simply because they are a Republican administration. It is because of the (insert your own expletive) mess they have gotten our country into. The only way to accomplish that dream is to elect as many Democrats (national, state and local) as possible in November, especially the two at the top of the ticket - - Senators Barack Obama and Joseph Biden. This is no time for sulking women to break ranks.

There are a number of Web sites and blogs where women are doing all they can to undermine the Democratic Party with anti-Obama rhetoric, so much so that many have been accused of Republican sponsorship. I checked one of those this morning, "Just Say No Deal," and the venom is still spewing as their representatives head to Denver. Their invitation to those who view their Web site is "Our readers - simply weave the copy: Just Say No Deal or No Deal into the body of your blogpost [sic] or title and submit to blogs@justsaynodeal.com."

Whoa! They just flunked English 101, and they call themselves capable of making decisions for the women of America? Not! Anyway, I shall send them the link to this post. I doubt they will post it.

I, myself, cannot let any disappointment or anger about the Democratic Primary results dominate my judgment. I have always made my own decisions based upon what I know and not upon what someone tells me.

For the future of all Americans, I must trust America's women, especially mothers, to make their own decisions without succumbing to brainwashing by any group. For instance, I think Senator Obama's choice of Senator Joseph Biden (Delaware) for his V.P. could not have been surpassed by choosing Senator Clinton. I have watched, paid attention to, admired, and agreed with most of Senator Biden's policy decisions. I think that team in the White House is best for America.

Senator Clinton and her husband bring too much baggage to the race. In other words, too much negative ammunition for the Republican smear machine. It is a safe bet that Karl Rove is again involved in some way, and he is the propaganda Master of Mean.

Therefore, my decision is to MAKE THE DEAL. At every national election, I always think what President John F. Kennedy said at his inauguration, "Ask not what your Country can do for you. Ask what you can do for your Country."

This November 4th, our Country needs each of us more than ever. That's the AMERICAN way.

Hillary Clinton's name will be placed in nomination!

Senator Hillary Clinton's name will be placed in nomination for the roll call vote at the Democratic National Convention, in Denver, CO, 25 - 28 August. The announcement was made earlier today.

I watched the 1960 Democratic National Convention very carefully, and I witnessed what Bobby Kennedy and the Kennedy machine did to upset the apple cart of "pledged delegates," and obtain a majority vote for his brother John (JFK). It was either on the second, or third ballot.

Delegates can change their minds. The delegates are "pledged," but they are not bound to cast their vote for the candidate to whom they are "pledged." Their votes are not carved in stone. It's not over until the final roll call vote, and I have seen conventions where two, or more, roll call votes were necessary to get an actual majority for the "presumptive" candidate, thereby declaring an official winner.

Senator Clinton will speak the second night of the Convention, Tuesday, 26 August. The keynote speaker that night will be former Virginia governor Mark Warner, currently running for the U.S. Senate from Virginia.

Some speculate Mark Warner is at the top of Senator Obama's VP shortlist. I have met him when he was Governor of Virginia, and I have a very high opinion of him. My dream ticket is Clinton - Warner. You know, it could still happen.

It ain't over until the lady in the pant suit says it is!

Related article: "Clinton backers to make noise at Dem convention".

Barack Obama is NOT a Black Man

Senator Obama

Senator Barack Hussein Obama Jr. (IL), has repeatedly been referred to as a black man. He is not. He is the son of a white woman and a black man. That classifies him as a mulatto.

As to the word mulatto, it comes from the Spanish and Portuguese word mulato, which means brown-skinned and is pronounced "mu-lah-toe"). In contrast, the English mulatto is usually pronounced "mu-laa-toe," halfway between a short and long "a".

The English definition of a mulatto is: Any person with one white parent and one black parent. Obama is neither totally black nor white. He is a mulatto. As such, Obama is the first mulatto presumptive presidential nominee the U.S. has ever had, and he has, indeed, made history in American politics beyond being a U.S. Senator.

I have noticed that, belatedly, most of the media have now come to the realization that it is incorrect to refer to him as "black," and are now saying, " . . . the first African-American . . . " That is the better choice.

The definition for African-American is: A black American with African ancestry. This definition allows over 90% of black Americans to claim that they are African-Americans. However, in Obama's case, he has proof that his father was born in Africa (Kenya), and his mother Ann Dunham was born in the U.S. Thus, he is truly an African-American. The genuine article!

Now, please point out to anyone who incorrectly identifies him as a "black" man, that he is not, but he is African-American and, as such, he is the first African-American male to become a presumptive nominee to be a candidate in a national election for the Office of the President of the United States of America.

Click title of this post for the latest personal, career, voting record, etc., about Obama. I have found that his middle name, Hussein, is his Kenyan grandmother Sara Obama's maiden name. He is the son of the late Kenyan economist Barack Hussein Obama Sr. who, for the record, could have been classified as a black man because he was very dark-skinned.

After checking the Additional Biographical link on that page, I discovered that the senator and I have the same tastes in movies, music, and food. Plus, we both have two daughters, and do not have a pet.

It is also interesting to note that, unlike singer Michael Jackson and talk show queen Oprah Winfrey, he doesn't appear to have had a nose job. That's the whole enchilada.

China Prepares for Summer Olympics

Comrads. The first thing we must do to make sure that the Olympics Games in Beijing bring honor to our homeland this summer is to quiet the rabble in the terrorites we have annexed by force. We did it for their own good, and now we silence them for their own good, and the world will see our best side. We know all our people love us and our great leaders! Long live China!(Attach credit for any brainwashed Chinese.)

Some unofficial links you might like to access:// Tibet Online // Tibetan Centre for Human Rights and Democracy (TCHRD) // 14th Dalai Lama official site. //

Click title of this post for Official Chinese Olympics Link.

Mimi's Back!

Sorry for being away for over a month. I haven't actually been anywhere geographically, simply busy posting on my Mimi at the Movies blog, and a couple of my other movie pages. I'm usually not tardy from this blog during the height of the movie awards season, which really heats up after Christmas and climaxes with the Academy Awards®. This year everything was crowded together.

In addition, most of the political primaries were moved to earlier dates, and there was that big Super Tuesday. I voted, and pledged to myself that I was not going to post anything political until the candidates for both parties had been decided. So far, I have stuck to that. However, I am interested in following them, and that takes time, too.

The Democratic race will now probably go to the convention in June, unless either Senators Clinton or Obama get the required number of delegates to win the nomination outright. That doesn't seem likely without the votes from Michigan and Florida.

I hope the decision comes down to the convention. The TV ratings for the political conventions in both parties have been in consistent decline. It would be wonderful to have an old-time Democratic knock-down maneuvering convention like they used to be. What fun they were!

The Democrats must resolve the problem of the 300-plus votes in Michigan and Florida now lost to the candidates and the delegates lost to the Denver Convention. I think they will, but we may not know the final results of that debacle until the end of May.

There has been a lot happening in the world on which I wanted to comment, but I haven't had enough time to do it. I'll try to do better.

More Hate Mail Directed At Muslims

[Material in brackets are comments by Mimi. Parentheses are in the original as are the single quotation marks.]

Please read this entire post before you get angry. This is an e-mail I received today:

"Subject: Allah or The Lord Jesus Christ?

"This is very interesting and even more alarming . The Muslim religion is the fastest growing religion per capita in the United States , especially in the minority races!!! Allah or The Lord Jesus Christ? ... By Rick Mathes

[I guess they are quoting Mathes from here. This was all one paragraph in the e-mail, but I paragraph for easier reading.]

"Last month I attended my annual training session that's required for maintaining my state prison security clearance. During the training session there was a presentation by three speakers representing the Roman Catholic, Protestant and Muslim faiths, who explained each of their beliefs. [Roman Catholic and Protestant are NOT faiths. They are divisions of the Christian faith.]

"I was particularly interested in what the Islamic Imam had to say. The Imam gave a great presentation of the basics of Islam, complete with a video. After the presentations, time was provided for questions and answers.

"When it was my turn, I directed my question to the Imam and asked: 'Please, correct me if I'm wrong, but I understand that most Imams and clerics of Islam have declared a holy jihad (Holy war) against the infidels of the world and, that by killing an infidel, (which is a command to all Muslims) they are assured of a place in heaven. If that's the case, can you give me the definition of an infidel?'

"There was no disagreement with my statements and, without hesitation, he replied, 'Non-believers!' I responded, 'So, let me make sure I have this straight. All followers of Allah have been commanded to kill everyone who is not of your faith so they can have a place in heaven. Is that correct?'

"The expression on his face changed from one of authority and command to that of 'a little boy who had just been caught with his hand in the cookie jar.' He sheepishly replied, 'Yes.'

"I then stated, 'Well, sir, I have a real problem trying to imagine Pope John Paul commanding all Catholics to kill those of your faith or Dr. Stanley ordering all Protestants to do the same in order to guarantee them a place in heaven!'

"The Imam was speechless! I continued, 'I also have problem with being your 'friend' when you and your brother clerics are telling your followers to kill me! Let me ask you a question. Would you rather have your Allah, who tells you to kill me in order for you to go to heaven, or my Jesus who tells me to love you because I am going to heaven and He wants you to be there with me?'

"You could have heard a pin drop as the Imam hung his head in shame. Needless to say, the organizers and/or promoters of the 'Diversification' training seminar were Not happy with Rick's way of dealing with the Islamic Imam and exposing the truth about the Muslims' beliefs. In twenty years there will be enough Muslim voters in the U.S. to elect the President! I think everyone in the U.S. should be required to read this, but with the Liberal justice system, liberal media and the ACLU, there is no way this will be widely publicized. Please pass this on to all your e-mail contacts. This is a true story and the author, Rick Mathes, is a well-known leader in prison ministry. The Man who walks with God always gets to his destination. Thank you for taking the time to read this.

Now you can either delete it or pass it on. No wishes, or promises or threats - just a choice."

[Mimi answers: I shall do neither. I shall publish this trash on the Internet for all to see and rebut it. Anyone who reads this is invited to leave a comment.

First of all Allah is the Arabic word for the English word, God. Funny, I never see anything like this directed to Yahweh, the Hebrew word for the English word, God. Allah, God, Yahweh, all in one!

Who is this Dr. Stanley? What, or who, gives him authority to speak for anyone?

Who is this Rick Mathes? Why should he or this Dr. Stanley be authorities about God, Jesus, or anything about religion? What is the name of the Imam who "hung his head," and with what Mosque, located where, is he associated?

That said, I have read most of the Koran, and I know of at least one passage in it that does order Muslim believers to slay the infidels. But, more than once the Bible, especially the Old Testament, has ordered the Jews (Israelites) to take up arms against non-Jews. I don't see, "Yahweh or Jesus Christ?" in any e-mails. What about the horrendous death toll throughout the centuries in the name of Jesus Christ, such as the Crusades in the 11th century because "God wills it." Then, there is Iraq in our own lifetime, but I'll go there another day.

The teachings of Jesus are in the Koran. Whenever a Muslim utters the name of Abraham, Moses, Mohammed, or Jesus, they always say immediately afterward, "Peace (or blessings) be upon his name."

Muslims revere, and try to follow, the teachings of Jesus that are incorporated into the Koran. However, they revere him as a prophet, and consider Mohammed the greater prophet, and they do not buy the "fantastic" that Jesus was the Son of God.

Jews and Muslims are descendents of Abraham. Literally. Christians? No. Most Christians come from a Gentile, pagan background. The Europeans, Anglo-Saxons, Greeks, Romans, Irish, etc. If any of these are Christians now, they have been converted from paganism, or non-belief, at some point in history. The Christian legacy is only 500 years more than the Muslim legacy. The Jewish legacy is 2,000 years more than the Christian legacy.

Emperor Constantine ordered the New Testament re-written about 300 A.D., mainly to attract the pagans. The goal was to give them a God that could promise them something none of their Gods did -- eternal life.

Many Biblical scholars suspect all the fantastic (virgin birth, wise men, resurrection, and, perhaps, some of the supposed words of Jesus) were incorporated into the New Testament during the rewrite to align Christianity closer to the pagan gods. Constantine ordered all of his subjects (pagans) to convert to Christianity. It certainly worked. The Christian community took off. Up until that time, it has been a very minor sect.

For all you good Christians out there who believe that homosexuality, and / or bisexuality, is a sin, be advised that King James I of England (James IV of Scotland), who supervised the translation of both the Old and New Testaments into English, was an open homosexual. His subjects would often exclaim, "Long live Queen James!" I am referring, of course, to The King James Version of the Bible.

After James' coronation as James I, he dutifully married Princess Anne of Denmark, which points to him being bisexual. After she produced three children, two boys (an heir and a spare) and a girl, she was banished from the royal court to Hampton Court Palace where she died in 1619. Their son, Henry, Prince of Wales, died at age 18 in 1612. However, she lived to see her second son Charles ascend to the throne as King Charles I. Good thing they had the heir and spare.

According to the Encyclopedia Britannica, "Throughout his life, however, James exhibited little interest in the opposite sex. It seems that he never had a mistress and was interested in women only as the wives and mothers of his male friends."

James supposedly said, in 1617, when he addressed the venerable Privy Council with an official affirmation of his right to love men:

"I, James, am neither a god nor an angel, but a man like any other. Therefore I act like a man and confess to loving those dear to me more than other men. You may be sure that I love the Earl of Buckingham [known as James' "wife"] more than anyone else, and more than you who are here assembled. I wish to speak in my own behalf and not to have it thought to be a defect, for Jesus Christ did the same, and therefore I cannot be blamed. Christ had John, and I have George."

I bring this up to shake a finger at so many, "I'm better than you" Christians. There are some scholars who believe Jesus was a homosexual because he loved his "beloved" John, and that Jesus was crucified because of his homosexuality, not because of his religious beliefs. Constantine probably took care of the question of Jesus' sexuality with the rewrite.

Also, there are some who believe that Saul of Tarsus (who became known as Paul the Apostle, although he never knew Jesus in person) was likewise, because he had his "beloved" Timothy, and other young men who were his constant companions. As far as we know, Jesus never married and as a Palestinian Jew, he would have been obligated to have been married by the age of about 18. Saul, as a former Rabbi was reqired to be married before he was strangely drawn to the Christians, and "saw the light" on the road to Damascus.

Finally, a Muslim as president? Well, congressman Keith Ellison, the first black congressman from Minnesota, and a Democrat, was sworn in using a Koran from the Library of Congress, published in London in 1764, and owned by President Thomas Jefferson. So there, ye of little minds!

Go ahead, all you "I am better than you Christians," who live in a tiny pod of this world, cast your stones at all those who do not believe as you, but before you do it again, please read some actual history books. The Bible is not history. It does not contain all you need to know to be considered knowledgeable in this life.

The Bible is a book of stories and allegories, written by men and only men, in their attempt to explain the human existence, and to control the behavior of others, especially that of women. The same is true of the Koran. As to either being inspired by God? That I cannot challenge, because I would never presume to know the mind of God, Allah, Yahweh.]

LINKS RELEVANT:

King James & homosexuality: Rictor Norton, "Queen James and His Courtiers," The Great Queens of History, 8 January 2000, updated 16 February 2006

Anne of Denmark / King James I of England

Congressman Ellison and the Koran

Blood shed in the name of Jesus Christ