Sunday, February 28, 2010
comparing quakes
Here is a link comparing the earthquakes in Chile and Haiti
The one in Chile was much more intense and stronger, yet damage and death toll was much smaller.
One thing that struck me was that in Chile, for decades people have been required to build buildings that are quake resistant. There are no building codes in Haiti.
What does this say about the role of government?
The one in Chile was much more intense and stronger, yet damage and death toll was much smaller.
One thing that struck me was that in Chile, for decades people have been required to build buildings that are quake resistant. There are no building codes in Haiti.
What does this say about the role of government?
Earthquakes
Mat 24:1 Jesus left the temple and was walking away when his disciples came up to him to call his attention to its buildings.
Mat 24:2 "Do you see all these things?" he asked. "I tell you the truth, not one stone here will be left on another; every one will be thrown down."
Mat 24:3 As Jesus was sitting on the Mount of Olives, the disciples came to him privately. "Tell us," they said, "when will this happen, and what will be the sign of your coming and of the end of the age?"
Mat 24:4 Jesus answered: "Watch out that no one deceives you.
[Mat 24:5 For many will come in my name, claiming, 'I am the Christ, and will deceive many.
Mat 24:6 You will hear of wars and rumors of wars, but see to it that you are not alarmed. Such things must happen, but the end is still to come.
Mat 24:7 Nation will rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom. There will be famines and earthquakes in various places.
Mat 24:8 All these are the beginning of birth pains.
There does seem to be more natural disasters going on, earthquakes, major snow storms, hurricanes.
Some say its global warming, some say its the end times as predicted in the scriptures.
The above scripture is often cited as a prediction of end times. Others see it as a prediction of the fall of Jerusalem in 70 a.d., when it was destroyed by the Romans.
Here is an AP story about earthquakes in general
Mat 24:2 "Do you see all these things?" he asked. "I tell you the truth, not one stone here will be left on another; every one will be thrown down."
Mat 24:3 As Jesus was sitting on the Mount of Olives, the disciples came to him privately. "Tell us," they said, "when will this happen, and what will be the sign of your coming and of the end of the age?"
Mat 24:4 Jesus answered: "Watch out that no one deceives you.
[Mat 24:5 For many will come in my name, claiming, 'I am the Christ, and will deceive many.
Mat 24:6 You will hear of wars and rumors of wars, but see to it that you are not alarmed. Such things must happen, but the end is still to come.
Mat 24:7 Nation will rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom. There will be famines and earthquakes in various places.
Mat 24:8 All these are the beginning of birth pains.
There does seem to be more natural disasters going on, earthquakes, major snow storms, hurricanes.
Some say its global warming, some say its the end times as predicted in the scriptures.
The above scripture is often cited as a prediction of end times. Others see it as a prediction of the fall of Jerusalem in 70 a.d., when it was destroyed by the Romans.
Here is an AP story about earthquakes in general
Friday, February 26, 2010
Story of character
Here is a story about a Jewish school that forfeited a playoff game rather than disrupt a religious event.
http://highschool.rivals.com/content.asp?CID=1056883
http://highschool.rivals.com/content.asp?CID=1056883
City Commission
Just got out of the city commission worksession.
The most interesting thing perhaps, was a proposal brought up by Mayor Jay Warren. He asked City Attorney Tamara Niles to look into the possibility of getting the city some representation on the county commission.
He noted that cities pay a lot of taxes into the county, so he would like to have more representation.
His proposal is to add a member from Arkansas City, and one from Winfield, to the county commission. That would make the county commission have five members instead of its current three.
It was not a formal proposal, but he was just raising the question.
The most interesting thing perhaps, was a proposal brought up by Mayor Jay Warren. He asked City Attorney Tamara Niles to look into the possibility of getting the city some representation on the county commission.
He noted that cities pay a lot of taxes into the county, so he would like to have more representation.
His proposal is to add a member from Arkansas City, and one from Winfield, to the county commission. That would make the county commission have five members instead of its current three.
It was not a formal proposal, but he was just raising the question.
Canadiens eh
Canadian women's hockey players celebrated winning their gold medal last night with beer and cigars on the Olympic ice, after beating the USA team. Causing quiet the stir in Olympic circles.
here is a link to the story and photos
http://sports.yahoo.com/olympics/vancouver/blog/fourth_place_medal/post/IOC-to-investigate-Canadian-women-s-hockey-team-?urn=oly,224338
no smoking
The State legislature passed a statewide smoking ban yesterday.
There has been a move to get one locally. The person behind that is Jerry Campbell.
Here is his response to the state's action.
By Jerry Campbell
The passage of HB2221 by the Kansas Legislature is a tremendous victory for the majority of Kansas citizens who don't smoke, nor do they want to be exposed to the toxicity of second hand smoke and third hand smoke residue as recent studies have discovered. This is truly democracy in action when people have a cause that is overwhelmingly supported by medical evidence, scientific research, commitment to healthier lifestyles, and ongoing successful litigation against the tobacco industry, can use the legislative process to protect the right to breathe clean air. As I have stated previously, we as concerned citizens don't tolerate contaminated food, we demand to have clean water, so it is a no-brainer that we also want clean air to breathe, particularly for our children and grandchildren.
I am grateful to announce that Ed Trimmer and Vince Wetta both supported the Clean Air Act with their votes today. I am dismayed however, that Kasha Kelley voted against this public health issue. I am also concerned that Sen. Steve Abrams voted against the measure in the Senate last legislative session. Apparently they haven't gotten the message from their constituents, that the desire for clean air trumps the smoker's (only 18% of the population) privilege to pollute our air. During the analysis of the voting today, approximately 53 of the 54 votes against the measure were Republican, so maybe they had to support the party line. However 24 of the 68 votes for the measure were Republican and 44 Democrats supported it. One of our goals is to start reducing the health care expense on the Kansas taxpayers, and reducing the tobacco consumption and exposure is a good start to achieving that, but that message hasn't been received by all those that claim to represent us in Topeka.
The Clean Air Act passed today is a long way from being perfect; there are exemptions that I personally don't agree with, but it represents a compromise to get something meaningful done, after many years of wrestling with the issue. It was the only logical choice considering the fraudulent HB2642 that was proposed by the tobacco supporters. Isn't is sad that they will compromise public health in favor selling out smoking space and wanted to repeal all the previous Clean Air legislation. We will continue in our efforts to strengthen policies that promote healthy lifestyles. Continuing education on the dangers of tobacco products, particularly with our youth is an ongoing project. Clean Air Cowley County Coalition will be launching a "Smoke is Poisonous" media campaign in April with a prescence at the Health Fair, the Why the Fog event at Cowley College and radio spots.
In closing some of the Clean Air opponents suggest that until tobacco is outlawed, they should have the right to smoke wherever. So, personally I will continue to advocate at the Federal level that tobacco should be abolished. If the Department of Justice prevails in the case that is now at the Supreme Court, after 11 years of litigation, and big tobacco has to cough up $300 billion, it could be the beginning of the end for an industry that has brought so much pain and suffering, not only to the United States, but throughout the world. It's about time.
There has been a move to get one locally. The person behind that is Jerry Campbell.
Here is his response to the state's action.
By Jerry Campbell
The passage of HB2221 by the Kansas Legislature is a tremendous victory for the majority of Kansas citizens who don't smoke, nor do they want to be exposed to the toxicity of second hand smoke and third hand smoke residue as recent studies have discovered. This is truly democracy in action when people have a cause that is overwhelmingly supported by medical evidence, scientific research, commitment to healthier lifestyles, and ongoing successful litigation against the tobacco industry, can use the legislative process to protect the right to breathe clean air. As I have stated previously, we as concerned citizens don't tolerate contaminated food, we demand to have clean water, so it is a no-brainer that we also want clean air to breathe, particularly for our children and grandchildren.
I am grateful to announce that Ed Trimmer and Vince Wetta both supported the Clean Air Act with their votes today. I am dismayed however, that Kasha Kelley voted against this public health issue. I am also concerned that Sen. Steve Abrams voted against the measure in the Senate last legislative session. Apparently they haven't gotten the message from their constituents, that the desire for clean air trumps the smoker's (only 18% of the population) privilege to pollute our air. During the analysis of the voting today, approximately 53 of the 54 votes against the measure were Republican, so maybe they had to support the party line. However 24 of the 68 votes for the measure were Republican and 44 Democrats supported it. One of our goals is to start reducing the health care expense on the Kansas taxpayers, and reducing the tobacco consumption and exposure is a good start to achieving that, but that message hasn't been received by all those that claim to represent us in Topeka.
The Clean Air Act passed today is a long way from being perfect; there are exemptions that I personally don't agree with, but it represents a compromise to get something meaningful done, after many years of wrestling with the issue. It was the only logical choice considering the fraudulent HB2642 that was proposed by the tobacco supporters. Isn't is sad that they will compromise public health in favor selling out smoking space and wanted to repeal all the previous Clean Air legislation. We will continue in our efforts to strengthen policies that promote healthy lifestyles. Continuing education on the dangers of tobacco products, particularly with our youth is an ongoing project. Clean Air Cowley County Coalition will be launching a "Smoke is Poisonous" media campaign in April with a prescence at the Health Fair, the Why the Fog event at Cowley College and radio spots.
In closing some of the Clean Air opponents suggest that until tobacco is outlawed, they should have the right to smoke wherever. So, personally I will continue to advocate at the Federal level that tobacco should be abolished. If the Department of Justice prevails in the case that is now at the Supreme Court, after 11 years of litigation, and big tobacco has to cough up $300 billion, it could be the beginning of the end for an industry that has brought so much pain and suffering, not only to the United States, but throughout the world. It's about time.
Thursday, February 25, 2010
Intolerance
Here is an example of hypocrisy if ive ever seen it.
Not to get the gay marriage debate started - that isnt the point to me anyway.
A beauty queen says she doesnt believe in gay marriage, so she is getting trashed, just like the one did earlier.
Here is the link.
http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/us_miss_beverly_hills
They say they are tolerant, but how tolerant are they if someone doesn't agree with them? The real measure of tolerance is how you treat people who don't agree with you. Or, as someone else said, how you really feel about freedom of speech is how you treat those who dont agree with you.
The idea that you cannot say you are against gay marriage is a real threat to freedom of speech. That is what Id like to discuss, not the gay issue itself.
Not to get the gay marriage debate started - that isnt the point to me anyway.
A beauty queen says she doesnt believe in gay marriage, so she is getting trashed, just like the one did earlier.
Here is the link.
http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/us_miss_beverly_hills
They say they are tolerant, but how tolerant are they if someone doesn't agree with them? The real measure of tolerance is how you treat people who don't agree with you. Or, as someone else said, how you really feel about freedom of speech is how you treat those who dont agree with you.
The idea that you cannot say you are against gay marriage is a real threat to freedom of speech. That is what Id like to discuss, not the gay issue itself.
health care bait and switch?
A story is circulating on some conservative news sites and blogs about how a Canadian provincial premier - would be like a state governor here - went to Miami, Fla., for heart surgery instead of having it in Canada.
Opponents of health care reform are jumping on this hard. Here is a link.
http://www.foxnews.com/story/0,2933,584816,00.html
There are two things about this that I would like to talk about.
One is that it is not getting much mainstream media attention. Even Fox News isn't jumping on it too much, so there must be more to the story. I do think it is somewhat of a scandal that the "liberal" media has not covered it at all. I did a google search on CNN, NYT and LA Times, and there was nothing. not a word. I couldn't find it on the AP either. But that Fox isn't really jumping on it either is strange. Must be more to the story.
My second point is that I dont see how it can be used as a case against health care reform. The health system in the U.S. is the best in the world. How does making medical care more affordable to more people make it not the best?
The point of health care reform is to make it more available, more affordable, to more people.
If we have the best health care - and we do - what good is it if it is only available to the very wealthy?
We are also the richest nation in the world. I don't see how we can ethically not take care of poor people. Health care should be available to every person. If we cannot do that then we dont have the best.
To use a Canadian getting health care in the U>S> as an argument against health care for poor people is apples and oranges at best.
Opponents of health care reform are jumping on this hard. Here is a link.
http://www.foxnews.com/story/0,2933,584816,00.html
There are two things about this that I would like to talk about.
One is that it is not getting much mainstream media attention. Even Fox News isn't jumping on it too much, so there must be more to the story. I do think it is somewhat of a scandal that the "liberal" media has not covered it at all. I did a google search on CNN, NYT and LA Times, and there was nothing. not a word. I couldn't find it on the AP either. But that Fox isn't really jumping on it either is strange. Must be more to the story.
My second point is that I dont see how it can be used as a case against health care reform. The health system in the U.S. is the best in the world. How does making medical care more affordable to more people make it not the best?
The point of health care reform is to make it more available, more affordable, to more people.
If we have the best health care - and we do - what good is it if it is only available to the very wealthy?
We are also the richest nation in the world. I don't see how we can ethically not take care of poor people. Health care should be available to every person. If we cannot do that then we dont have the best.
To use a Canadian getting health care in the U>S> as an argument against health care for poor people is apples and oranges at best.
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