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Gaining ground or losing it?There are days when I come across unexpected treasures in the world wide web. Had never heard of "The Edmond Sun". A small city chartered in 1925, Edmond,Oklahoma, has a population in the low 30,000, predominantly white. Daily circulation of The Edmond Sun is below 11,000.Under the byline of Leaman Harris, on June 21st The Edmond Sun published a column on religious intolerance that is worthy of national newspapers. Mr. Leaman is serving a one-year assignment that is "nearing its end".I quote from the article: "You can check these statistics by searching on the web for "Statistical Abstract of the United States 2004-2005." These statistics are in Section 1, Population, Table 67. The Abstract is a publication of the U.S. Census Bureau. The government is not allowed to ask questions about religion on the census taken every 10 years, but the Abstract references the study done by the City University of New York as a reliable source. "The most significant fact about this study is that 14 million more people claimed to be atheists in 2001 than in 1990, a more than 100 percent increase. It is a larger gain than that experienced by the Catholic Church and non-denominational churches combined. Meanwhile, non-Christian faiths are making significant gains. If the goal of fundamentalist evangelicals is to convert Americans into followers of Jesus Christ, then they are failing. I am convinced that the reason for this failure is the bigotry and intolerance displayed by a relatively small but very loud and arrogant group of fundamentalist evangelicals." A naturalized citizen, I love America---the beauty of the land and the diversity of the people. America of Thomas Jefferson and Walt Whitman; the America where a Christian book store, Vietnamese restaurant and Indian grocery store thrive in the same shopping center; the America where students of different colors and ethnic origins happily chatter on their way to school. I find recent developments in political and social arenas distasteful and bothersome. Bigotry has raised its ugly head. The country is being hijacked from those of us who are not part of the "religious right" and did not vote for G.W. Bush. The bigots here remind me of the Taleban mullahs in Afghanistan and the jackbooted thugs of Nazi Germany.Reading Mr. Leaman's column gave me hope. Mr. Leaman did his home work and produced a column full of facts and figures on this important topic. Very timely. Perhaps all is not lost.I wish him well."I say to mankind, Be not curious about God. For I, who am curious about each, am not curious about God - I hear and behold God in every object, yet understand God not in the least."---Walt Whitman (1819-1892)

*Do the students have impure thoughts; do they masturbate? One wonders.Hanna Rosin's "God and Country" in The New Yorker about a college that was established to groom homeschooled students for political positions made me cringe. No, nothing wrong with homeschooled kids. But this particular college was founded with objective and principles that are disturbing. "Patrick Henry is a Christian college, though it is not affiliated with any denomination, and it gives students guidelines on "glorifying God" with their appearance. During class hours, the college enforces a "business casual" dress code designed to prepare the students for office life---especially for offices in Washington,D.C., fifty miles to the east where almost all the students have internships with Republican politicians, or in conservative think tanks." Read on: "The boys in the cafetaria all had nearly trimmed hair, and wore suits or khakis and button-down shirts; girls wore slacks or skirts just below the knee, and sweaters or blouses." Whew. Think about brigades of sterile, deodorized, Bible quoting graduates bent on creating a white bread America!Watched Pot. The great Hendrik Hertzberg writes in The New Yorker about the Supreme Court and Medical Marijuana. "Someday the cruelty of the 'drug war' will give way to laws and policies based on reason and justice. But that day is painfully slow in coming, and no drug, legal or not, can take the pain away."

True or FalseTrue, according to some library officials. Justice Department denies it. Knowing what we do now about our government who would you believe?A report filed on 6/21/05 by Barbara Zabarenko of Reuters stated that:"U.S. librarians say they have been asked at least 268 times since 2001 to give law officers data about readers, despite repeated Justice Department denials that it is interested in patrons' reading habits.A survey released this week by the American Library Association found the inquiries from law enforcement came formally and informally -- that is, without a formal legal order -- to public and academic libraries. That is despite laws in 48 states and prevailing opinion in the other two that library information is private."Now we have solid information that no matter what the Justice Department is saying, they are interested in libraries because they are coming, and not once or twice, but in appreciable numbers," Emily Sheketoff, executive director of the library association's Washington office, said on Tuesday." "Quis custodiet ipsos custodes? - Who will watch the watchers?"---Decimus Junius Juvenalis (Juvenal),Roman rhetorician and satirical poet (1st to 2nd cent. A.D.)

*Their grand standing about banning French fries and French toasts bombed.Now the super patriots are into another jingoistic act. They are going to retry passing the Flag Burning Amendment. I must be living on another planet. Don't recall flags being burned at random. But their minds work in strange ways. One would think that if they are seriously concerned about honoring the national flag they would act to enforce the etiquette described in U.S.History.org.I quote: Is it okay to have a flag t-shirt with words written on it? No, the flag should never be worn and no, the flag should never have marks or words written upon it. Section 8d (see below): "The flag should never be used as wearing apparel." Section 8g: "The flag should never have placed upon it, nor on any part of it, nor attached to it any mark, insignia, letter, word, figure, design, picture, or drawing of any nature." Is it okay to use flag napkins or flag paper plates?No. Section 8i (see below) reads: "It should not be ... printed or otherwise impressed on paper napkins or boxes or anything that is designed for temporary use and discard." ...

*Bush Descendent?Despite the boastful claim about "mandate" in the second term,there are signs that cracks are appearing in the image. The Bolton case highlights the fact that even with the Republican majority the president is unable to get his nominee confirmed by the Senate. He can, of course, use "recess appointment" and the signs are pointing that way. That, however, would emphasize weakness of his position. The House passed Patriot Act (II) but a watered-down version; the president didn't get what he pushed for. His much vaunted plans for partial privatization of Social Security landed with a thud. Majority of Americans remain unconvinced by his pitch. They are distrustful of the implications and lack of details. Rightly so. While he has not given up, Republican members of Congress are seeking a quiet way out. Finally, the mess in Iraq is making its impact at home. News about deaths and injuries are beginning to raise questions,especially in view of the barrage of new reports about plans for the war and the ploys used to deceive the nation. Apart from the lack of justification, the plans turned out to be hopelessly inept. The cost in dollars is one thing, the cost in lives and limbs is a more serious issue. "See No Evil, Hear No Evil"The Republicans would have been screaming for impeachment if this happened under a Democratic president. Now they are like the wise monkeys : "See no evil, hear no evil". While the politicians are following their usual path of expediency by remaining silent, the people are not. There are signs that disenchantment with the president is spreading across the land."All wars are wars among thieves who are too cowardly to fight and who therefore induce the young manhood of the whole world to do the fighting for them."---Emma Goldman(1869-1940)

*Little ThingsMost of us miss out on life's big prizes. The Pulitzer. The Nobel. Oscars. Tonys. Emmys. But we're all eligible for life's small pleasures. A pat on the back. A kiss behind the ear. A four-pound bass. A full moon. An empty parking space. A crackling fire. A great meal. A glorious sunset Hot soup. Cold beer. Don't fret about copping life's grand awards. Enjoy its tiny delights. There are plenty for all of us.Note: A friend sent me this item many years ago. I have no idea who the author is or where it appeared. And I like to fish for trout, not bass.

*The Politics of PotA favorite target of the conservatives, our self-appointed moral guardians--marijuana. Think of the resources, time and money being used to combat what they call the "evil" of marijuana.Why drinking alcohol is OK but smoking a joint a criminal offense? Alcohol can cause health and mental problems and so can marijuana. Heck, a gallon of milk a day can cause health problems for many of us. While moderate consumption of alcohol is good for health (according to current medical opinion) too much alcohol is harmful for body and mind. I have not found any source of information that cites evidence to prove that smoking a joint or two does any harm. In fact, in some cases patients suffering from pain are said to benefit from smoking marijuana. Yes, I am aware of the recent Supreme Court decision but the court didn't go into benefits or harmful effects of marijuana; it upheld the Federal law under which the regulation of illicit drugs is a matter of interstate commerce, reserved exclusively to the Federal Government by the Constitution. Imara's June 16th post in "Where Two or More Are Gathered" covers the 6-3 ruling by the Court.But many members of the moral values crowd drink alcohol, and the mighty alcohol industry contributes significantly to campaign chests of politicians. Some of them undoubtedly indulged in smoking joints during their younger days but don't talk about it. During his first presidential campaign G.W. Bush admitted to "youthful indiscretions". You figure out what that meant. As president he is gung ho about imprisonment for youths caught possessing small amounts of marijuana. Another president said that he smoked but didn't inhale! Too bad, if that was indeed his experience. Why is politics so crowded with hypocrites?The fact remains that despite our government's draconian position on marijuana smoking, the practice is alive and well. Unfortunately, law abiding citizens do not have access to marijuana. See link about consumption of marijuana.One thing for sure. If it is legalized large corporations would jump into the act before you can say Jack Robinson. They probably have business plans and advertisement campaigns ready to launch. "A joint a day will keep the blues away".In the meantime, the two-faced puritans rule.From a report by Kevin Freking,Associated Press:"Both college towns, Boston and Boulder, Colo., share another distinction: They lead the nation in marijuana use. Northwestern Iowa and southern Texas have the lowest use."Wouldn't like to live in Boston but Boulder is attractive. Texas, no thanks.Links:Marijuana Use in The U.S.Imara

*" The great error of nearly all studies of war... has been to consider war as an episode in foreign policies, when it is an act of interior politics..."---Simone Weil, French philosopher, writer, activist (1909-1943)The tide is turning - Parents oppose aggressive recruitment in schoolsIf you had a teenager finishing high school, would you like him or her to join the army and sent to a place like Iraq? More and more parents are saying "No".Latest numbers (as of June 17th) from Iraq Body Count.U.S. Soldiers - Dead: 1,720 Injured: 12,855Iraqi Civilians: Dead: Min 22,353 Max 25,341Common Dreams reproduced an article originally published by the Knight-Ridder Group on June 15,2005. It is a deeply touching narrative by Sgt.Zachary Scott-Singley who grew up in Washington State. "From Iraq, A Soldier/Father's Perspective On the War by Joseph L. Galloway"Links:Iraq-A Soldier/Father's Perspective on WarAP - Military Recruitment in SchoolsIraq Body Count

Two more convicted but many remain freeFrom Associated Press:"NEW YORK - Former Tyco International CEO Dennis Kozlowski and a subordinate were convicted Friday of looting more than $600 million from their company to pay for lavish parties, fancy art and an opulent Manhattan apartment that featured a $6,000 shower curtain."Kozlowski could face 30 years in prison. He certainly deserves it. Incidentally, the shower curtain was reported to be for the maid's quarters. Phillip Purcell, CEO of the tainted financial giant Morgan Stanley has been forced into retiring---with a compensation of 62.3 million dollars. J.P. Morgan Chase, a Wall Street giant, agreed to pay a fine of (hold on to your seat) $2.2 billion dollars--yes billions-- for its complicity in helping Enron cook up fictitious deals. Citigroup (another great American financial institution) paid a penalty of $2 billions for the same reason. Link:Kozlowski

Fame for author of "The Intimate Adventures of a London Call Girl"There are other bloggers who have received a lot of attention from mainstream media, among them Riverbend of Baghdad Burning and Markos Moulitsas of DailyKos. This, however, is a different kettle of fish.In an article dated March 27,2005, The Sunday Times (of London) named her as Lisa Hilton, "a British author based in America". When contacted by The Times, Ms. Hilton declined to confirm it.Her book (The Intimate Adventures of a London Call-Girl by Belle de Jour, Weidenfeld & Nicholson £12.99, pp288) did not receive much praise from critics but did well in sales. I got a few chuckles just from reading the list of links in her blog. A few are listed below but those who wish to check them out will have to access them from the source.Amorous PropensitiesJet Set LaraProfessor Dollar FiftyMistress MatissePostmodern CourtesanChloe RaptureI wonder what "Professor Dollar Fifty" is about. It is such a piddling amount. Should be interesting to read about Chloe's rapture. Ah, well. So much to read and so little time.Links:TimesOnLineUKBelle de Jour