Politics to Parenting and Everything in Between

Religious Rights Under Attack:Bishops Letter That Was Read To Almost Every Catholic Sitting In Church Today #tcot #prolife #Catholic #Christian

2012-01-29T13:57:00.003-07:00

The Obama administration has once again decided to ignore our Constitution and has recently passed a requirement that violates the religious freedom and rights of millions of Catholics and Christians in this country.

They are requiring Catholic hospitals and Christian employers to provide health insurance which covers controversial treatments such as: sterilization, abortion pills, and to subsidize contraception, all of which violate the religious beliefs of many practicing Catholics and Christians. Until now conscience protections have been respected and granted and medical professionals to pharmacists have been able to opt-out of providing such services or products to their clientele, but now these services must be required by employers of these religious organizations or those who practice their faith. Recently, the Department of Health and Human Services under the Obama administration also repealed a long standing law that protected the conscience rights of doctors and nurses which allowed them to object to providing services such as abortion.

Below is a copy of the letter read to the Diocese of Marquette. Many Bishops across the country have written and passed on letters similar to the one below to stand up for religious conscience protections.

Listen to a medical professional pleading for his right to continue to save lives without being forced to harm and kill:

Remember, "Health Care Heals Not Kills"...we must protect and defend the religious rights of our brave medical professionals and religious institutions to maintain quality health care and to defend the ultimate rights of every human being; our inalienable right to life. Religious freedom is one of our first rights protected in the Constitution. Our founders obviously knew that this right was most important in protecting the conscience of each American. Religious beliefs are what makes us who we are and often those who believe in a supreme being, the majority of Americans, believe in the right to life and liberty which our government do not give us but must protect. Whether you are religious or not, you must stand up for our Constitutional rights, because without our right to life and the freedom to protect our life and liberty we are enslaved and controlled by government morals&laws that often ignore science&individuality and in result human dignity is lost, along with human lives and rights.

Please share this and help stand up for and defend all of our Constitutional rights to religious freedom and protection.

From a friend on twitter: @Beatidude: Fight back against Obama's war on religious freedom! http://t.co/EASs7Hwe #ProLife #tcot #Christian #Faith

#tweet4choice Aren't some choices so abhorrent they should not be made? #prolife #prochoice #parents #kids

2012-01-22T15:31:00.001-07:00

Have you ever wondered what the pro-choice movement means by 'choice'? Don't we all have freedom of choice in this world? Aren't some choices so abhorrent they should not be made? After all, when the choice is life or death;wouldn't common sense tell you to choose life?

In the case of abortion, women are told they have a choice to have the baby or not. In choosing not to have the child and carry to term a woman is given the legal right to hire an abortionist to end her pregnancy,which is essentially ending the life of a new human being at the earliest stage of development.

The 'choice' in pro-choice is to dismember a living human being from usually 6-8weeks through D&C,chemical abortion or some other form of induced abortion. Thanks to the decision of Roe V Wade, a human being can be killed legally in the US through abortion,in other words government sanctioned murder, such as the death penalty. Sadly, abortion kills innocent human beings, while the death penalty punishes those convicted by jury of the most heinous crimes of murder. These are currently the two forms of legalized murder allowed in the US. Yet abortion advocates demand the right to kill an innocent unborn human,while they are angered by the killing of murderers or rapists on death row.

This being the 39th year since the legalization of Roe V Wade; I along with Jill Stanek and others hope to raise awareness of this choice by drawing attention to what 'choice' means when the pro-choice movement demands choice.

Jill Stanek has the latest on who is participating in this social media advocacy:

UPDATE 1/22, 3:35p:I’m still adding blogs and reading some great posts. Don’t forget to use hashtag #tweet4choice on all pro-life tweets today.
UPDATE 1/22, 9:10a:Today is the tragic, terrible 39th anniversary of the Supreme Court’s Roe v. Wade decision, which legalized the subsequent murders of 55 million children and counting.
Abortion proponents call this “choice.” They fear the word “abortion.” They know it has negative connotations – not so different from the word “holocaust.”

SUNDAY! Ask Them What They Mean by “Choice” Day - Jill Stanek

©2008-2012 Patricia Garza

Illegal alien sexually assaults,rapes&kills One month old #parents #kids #abuse #tcot

2012-01-11T21:15:00.001-07:00

If there isn't a better reason to secure our borders than this I don't know what is. In this heinous case a father is charged with raping his one year old daughter. It's not clear if he is the biological father but DNA tests are being taken to determine if he is. Either way, for any adult to do something this despicable to an infant is unforgivable. I don't care if he was on drugs or not, there is no excuse for this barbaric behavior.

What makes this case even worse is that he had been deported previously and charged with child sexual abuse once before, however because our borders are not secure and our child abuse laws are too lenient he was set free only to re-enter the country illegally and now this little baby girl is dead!

How many more innocent children, women, and men will become victims to the increase in illegals crossing our border? In the meantime, the Department of Justice will not enforce the laws and is suing states that try to enforce immigration laws, such as Arizona and others.

It is my hope he gets life in prison without parole, unfortunately the taxpayers of the state of New Mexico will be left with the cost of incarcerating him,trying him, and keeping him in prison. If the federal government had done it's job in securing our borders he may not have come back into the country to commit this crime.

From the articles it appears he will be charged with sexual abuse of a minor and child abuse resulting in death. I don't think he will be charged with rape as well, but if so this is also a case of forcible rape under the new DOJ definition of rape:

Via Examiner.com

For the first time ever, the new definition includes any gender of victim and perpetrator, not just women being raped by men. It also recognizes that rape with an object can be as traumatic as penile/vaginal rape. This definition also includes instances in which the victim is unable to give consent because of temporary or permanent mental or physical incapacity, according to the DOJ's Criminal Division.
The old definition: “Forcible rape” had been defined by the UCR SRS as “the carnal knowledge of a female, forcibly and against her will.” That definition, unchanged since 1927, was outdated and narrow. It only included forcible male penile penetration of a female vagina.
The new definition: “The penetration, no matter how slight, of the vagina or anus with any body part or object, or oral penetration by a sex organ of another person, without the consent of the victim.”

Galindo is an illegal alien from Mexico who uses various aliases and dates of birth. He claims to have fathered six children with different women in Mexico.
According to his records, Galindo was arrested almost 20 years ago in Texas for a DWI. He was deported back to Mexico but managed to sneak back into the U.S.
He has been arrested for a case involving prior child abuse in Texas.

Local police said each charge against Galindo carries a life sentence. Also, Immigration and Customs Enforcement agents stated that Galindo may face 20 years in federal prison for reentering the country illegally.

"Reentering the U.S. after deportation is a serious offense punishable by up to 20-years in prison. Politicians, advocates for illegal aliens and most of the members of the press fail to tell Americans that fact, preferring to lead citizens to believe it's a misdemeanor and not the felony it truly is," said police lieutenant Stanley Rodgers.

"Our president and his attorney general spend more time harassing police who attempt to enforce immigration law than they spend trying to protect Americans -- including American babies and children -- from sexual predators who are in the country illegally. We have our own predators, we don't need Mexico's," Rodgers said.

Man charged in fatal rape of baby

Via Kasa.com

Bernalillo County Sheriff's Deputies have charged Juan Galindo, 37, for the rape and death of his girlfriend's 1-month-old infant daughter. Deputies say around 4:00 this morning[Dec 30,2011], family members called 911 from a home in the 1900 block of Lake Southwest. When deputies arrived, they found the baby girl already dead. Medical investigators were also called to the scene.
Sources tell News 13, Galindo, told them he was high on heroin when all this happened, and that the child's mother was at a casino.
Galindo was charged with aggravated rape and child abuse resulting in death.
Family members tell News 13 the girl's mother had been dating Galindo for about a year. At this time officials have not confirmed the man's relationship to the baby but believe he is the baby's father. They are conducting a DNA test to confirm that information.

Via Koat.com :

Federal agents said the man accused of sexually assaulting and killing a 1-month-old baby girl had recently sneaked back into the United States after being deported to Mexico four months before the crime.
Police released a recording of the 911 call that indicated the baby was already dead before anyone contacted the authorities.
"(The) baby was taking a bottle and choked and couldn't stop, and the baby has now passed away," the caller told a 911 operator.
According to a criminal complaint, sheriff's deputies found a 4-week-old baby girl battered, with blood pooling around her clothes all the way into the footie of her Onesie. Officers said the baby had two black eyes, a bite mark on her cheek, brain bleeds, a lacerated liver and anal and vaginal tearing. The 911 operator asked the family to perform CPR, but it was too late.
Immigration officials said Galindo, a convicted felon, may face 20 years in prison just for coming back into the country. Investigators said it's still unclear if anyone else will face charges in the incident.
Galindo is facing charges of aggravated criminal sexual penetration and child abuse resulting in death, deputies said.
"Mr. Galindo the allegations of the criminal complaint are extremely serious, extremely disturbing I'm also concerned about your criminal history I'm setting your bail at $1 million cash only, " Judge Daniel Ramcy told Galindo.
Court records show his criminal history is in New Mexico and Texas. One of the charges includes an assault and injury to a child conviction in Texas in 1993.
Galindo is now facing charges for sexually assaulting a 1-month-old and child abuse resulting in death.According to the Office of the Medical Investigator, the infant's injuries included brain bleed, a bite mark on her cheek, a lacerated liver, and anal and vaginal tearing.
Read more: http://www.koat.com/news/30097847/detail.html#ixzz1jNrxOl5G

Sexual abuse of a minor is defined as:

Aggravated Sexual Abuse with a Child: When a person knowingly engages in a sexual act with another person who has not attained the age of twelve years, or attempts to do so.
Sexual assault of a minor is a federal crime when it occurs in federal maritime jurisdiction, a US territory, or if the victim is taken across state lines for commission of the offense. The penalties are enhanced if the victim has not yet attained the age of 12. The sentence can range from any term of years to life imprisonment, and a conviction for a second offense carries a mandatory life imprisonment term.
In most states in the US, anyone convicted of sexual assault of a minor must register as a sex offender. The registration must be renewed anytime the offender moves to a new address. The requirement of registering as a sex offender can last for life. Most states maintain databases of all registered sex offenders, and the information is available to the public. Failing to register at the appropriate times is itself a criminal offense, and results in a parole violation and a return to prison.

Baby Girl Abandoned by Protester at #OccupyDC Camp #parents #kids #tcot

2012-01-11T20:49:00.000-07:00

Now this doesn't really surprise me after all the other crimes from rapes,drug abuse,murders and suicides that have occurred at the Occupy movement encampments throughout the country. Most involved in this movement are after all "prochoice" and the choice to abandon a baby is no different than disposing one in a dumpster or having one removed from your womb by a licensed doctor who makes millions killing the most defenseless among us. Abortion after all to me is the ultimate child abuse, the mothers 'choice' to neglect her commitment/obligation to carry her pregnancy to term& raise her child or put them up for adoption.

In this case, the father abandoned the baby, but fathers are also known to walk out on their families or pay for abortions because they don't want the responsibility of being a parent. As they say, anyone can have babies, but not everyone can be a loving mom or dad and if you are unable to be a loving mom or dad then you might want to avoid sex altogether, because there isn't a 100% effective way to prevent children unless you abstain altogether or you are sterile. Thankfully this little girl was rescued, considering the temperatures and the lack of clothing she was wearing. Of course the Occupy campers are denying they knew the man and had never seen him there before, but that's beside the point. Their movement has attracted crimes and criminals since the protests began.

An infant’s cries rang through the Occupy DC encampment in McPherson Square Wednesday morning, and when a group went to investigate they found only a baby girl alone in a tent, wearing a onesie and mittens.
Soon after, authorities said, a man had been arrested and the girl — who was unharmed — was in the city’s care.
The campers notified U.S. Park Police officers and then cared for the girl until help arrived, according to Kelly Canavan, 36, a retired Prince George’s County school teacher who has been living at the camp.

Officers called D.C. Fire/EMS to check on the girl around 10:30 a.m., according to Sgt. David Schlosser, a Park Police spokesman. She was fine, he said, and is now with the District’s child protective services department.
About 30 minutes later, Schlosser said, a man returned to the encampment and identified himself as the baby’s father. Police arrested the man, charging him with attempted second-degree cruelty to children.
“Mid 40s, rainy, onesie, alone,” Schlosser said, describing the circumstances that led police to arrest the man.
Read more at The Washington Post.

Source: Big Journalism

What's appropriate for senior yearbook photos?? #parents #kids #tcot

2012-01-11T13:01:00.000-07:00

I've heard about this story and wasn't really going to comment on it,but thought after seeing it online and the picture that was submitted it was worthy of some commentary. Sure the picture is a nice photo for a modeling agency portfolio, but traditional yearbook photos should be used in High School yearbooks. High School yearbooks should set a standard of what is appropriate for students to wear and students should be informed that standard school dress code rules should be adhered to in yearbook photos. I don't know if this was stated before she submitted her photo, but it seems common sense for most. I know in my yearbook photo I,like many other girls, wore a sweater! Others wore dresses and the majority of boys wore suits with shirts&ties or sweaters.

According to the article, Colorado state law says the students have a right to freedom of expression, but why have school laws and codes of conduct if the states can override them? Schools should be able to enforce their student codes of conduct and dress codes, otherwise students would be allowed to wear what they want to school anytime and claim freedom of expression. While I am a proponent of free speech and freedoms, if adults don't set standards for students through laws and guidelines then they will do what they want and schools will have no power over them. Students who attend schools that require uniforms are often private schools, but I have taught in public schools who require them to avoid gang activity and violence. I don't know if uniforms actually prevent this behavior or not,but I think it makes choosing clothes for school less of a problem for students and keeps the family budget in check when back to school shopping.

The picture below shows 18 year old Sydney Spies wearing a black shawl with a yellow mini skirt revealing her shoulders and midsection. The pose is somewhat seductive and in my opinion it is not appropriate for a school dance nor school setting so why should it be appropriate for a school yearbook? It's a cute outfit to go out on the town but not to flaunt in your senior picture. Of course now the point is almost moot because she has received national media attention and has gone on national television discussing her story and sharing her controversial picture. I'm sure it was a great way to help get the attention of modeling agencies and who knows maybe she'll get her first gig in an upcoming Playboy.

Television viewers across the country are up on the controversy since Spies and her mother appeared Monday in a 6½-minute spot on the “Today Show.”

Durango Herald website

This screen capture from The Durango Herald website shows Spies being interviewed Monday on NBC’s “Today Show.”

Courtesy of Miki Spies

Miki Spies, mother of Durango High School senior Sydney Spies, provided this photo of Sydney Spies taken by Thru the Lens Photography. The photo was rejected by student editors of the Durango High School yearbook for use as Sydney Spies’ senior portrait.

News of the dispute – which started when the photo Spies, an 18-year-old Durango High School student and aspiring model, submitted for her senior portrait was rejected – first appeared in The Durango Herald last week. As of Monday evening, stories about it on the Herald’s website had garnered more than 1 million page views.
In the photo, Spies is wearing a sheer yellow skirt and a black scarf that exposes her shoulders and midriff.
“This photo represents who I am. I want to be a model. I’m a dancer, and I feel like administration isn’t allowing me to show that,” Spies said in an interview last week.
A second photo Spies submitted for the yearbook, in a sheer black dress, also was denied by student editors, who worried the racy photos were unprofessional.
During a sit-down interview with “Today Show” anchor Matt Lauer, Spies, seated with her mother, Miki Spies, accused the editors of changing their position under pressure from the administration.
Administrators and the yearbook adviser have denied influencing the students’ decision.
During the segment about Spies, which appeared as the NBC morning show celebrated its 60th anniversary, the student editors, in a recorded interview at DHS, said the photo wasn’t in keeping with the quality of the publication.
Spies told Lauer she is still holding out hope the yearbook staff will reverse its decision and let her use the picture, which she called “artistic.”
Miki Spies told Lauer she initially had reservations about submitting the photo.
“I asked her not to do it,” she said. “I said, ‘Sydney, really, is this the one you want?’”
But she said she came to accept the decision.
“When your child is spreading her wings, you just want to come alongside and support them. That’s what I’m doing as a mother,” she told Lauer.
Sydney Spies said she has been told the photo can still appear, but as a paid “senior advertisement,” which appear at the end of the yearbook.
The Spieses could not be reached Monday afternoon, and DHS administration did not return calls seeking comment.
A poll on the “Today Show” website asked viewers if they thought the photo was “too inappropriate” to go in the a yearbook. Seventy-seven percent, or 134,318 votes, indicted “yes” as of Monday evening.

Source:The Durango Herald
©2008-2012 Patricia Garza

Teen strangles&stabs 9yro neighbor to 'know what it felt to kill someone' #parents #kids #prolife

2012-01-11T09:10:00.001-07:00

Today's horrific story of the day comes from Missouri where a then 15yro teen murdered her 9yr old neighbor just 'to see what it felt like to kill someone'.

How sad and disgusting, it makes you wonder what kind of society we are raising our kids in when the desire 'to see what it feels like' turns into murder.

Too many people think freedom of choice, as in abortion, is a right to kill and take the life of someone. When we are raising our kids in a society that says 'abortion is health care', how can we teach our children that freedom of choice doesn't apply to doing what 'feels good' or a desire to see what something feels like?

Today's media and culture teaches kids that drugs, abortion, homosexuality and other immoral behavior are 'choices' and as long as they aren't imposing their 'choices' on others it is their right. Freedom of choice should never include self harm nor harming others. In this case, the teen obviously had some mental instability since she had a history of a past suicide attempt and self-abuse, but why didn't the treatment she had help her two years before? Where was her family and what kind of home environment did she come from? Regardless, it sounds like she planned it out and knew what she was doing and made this choice simply to find out what 'it felt like'. Unfortunately, for the nine year old victim, the teen could only receive three years in prison because she plead guilty to reduce charges.

Teen murders neighbour's kid to 'know what it felt to kill someone'

A US teen has been charged with second-degree murder and armed criminal action for murdering her nine-year-old neighbour. Alyssa Bustamante from Missouri said that she wanted to know what it feels like to kill someone, so she strangled her neighbour with her hands, stabbed her in the chest and cut her throat with a knife.

Bustamante pleaded guilty in the October 21, 2009, killing of Elizabeth Olten in St Martins, a rural town just west of Jefferson City. The plea avoids a trial that had been scheduled to start later this month. Bustamante, who is to turn 18 on Jan 28, was 15 at the time of the slaying and lived just a few homes down the road from Olten. She told the judge that she knew what she was doing when she strangled the kid with her hands and used a knife to attack her.

Bustamante would have faced life in prison without parole if convicted of first-degree murder. But by pleading guilty to a reduced murder charge, Bustamante could be released, News.com.au reported. The punishment for second-degree murder ranges from 10-30 years in prison or life with the possibility of parole. The judge said the armed criminal action charge is punishable by three years up to life in prison.

Bustamante's lawyer, Charlie Moreland, said in an interview that Bustamante decided to plead guilty because "she wanted to take responsibility for it''. Juvenile justice officials testified at a November 2009 hearing that Bustamante had attempted to commit suicide at age 13 after receiving mental health treatment for depression and cutting herself.

At that hearing, prosecutors said Bustamante had plotted Olten's death, even digging two holes to be used as graves, then attending school for about a week while waiting for the right time to kill. Missouri State Highway Patrol Sergeant David Rice testified that the teenager confessed to the slaying and led authorities to Elizabeth's body. Rice said Bustamante told him "she wanted to know what it felt like'' to kill someone. (ANI)

Pedophilia a disability?? #parents #kids #abuse

2012-01-10T10:50:00.000-07:00

I woke up to see this headline in my twitter feed, Greeks Angry after Pedophilia Named 'Disability, and thought this had to be a joke, but sadly it isn't.

In further efforts to destigmatize pedophilia and immorality in society, such as homosexuality, now Greece is redefining pedophilia as a disability. Of course disability groups are upset about this label because a disability is normally defined as an inability or limited ability to do something physical,such as work,peform certain tasks or activities or transactions. However, pedophilia has not been proven to be a disability, other than perhaps a mental disorder, but it is something that can be controlled with therapy,prayer,morality,laws and lifestyle choices. Pedophiles are not limited in their ability to work and peform daily activities or tasks!

Disability groups in Greece are angry at a government decision to recognize pedophilia as a disability. The Labor Ministry says pedophilia was added to the list for medical assessment purposes and to help decide who should get financial help.

But the National Confederation of Disabled People calls the move "incomprehensible."

They say that pedophiles will now receive higher disability pay than people who have undergone organ transplants.

"It's really not serious to grant Peeping Toms a 20-30 percent disability rate, and 10 percent to diabetics, who have insulin shots four or five times a day," NCDP leader Yiannis Vardakastanis, who is blind, told the Associated Press (ITALICS).

Greece, who's been fighting to avoid bankruptcy for three years, has severely cut spending on health and welfare programs. Also, pervasive abuse of the welfare has prompted the government to reassess thousands of disabled people.

Source:CBN.com

Do you think they will reconsider this decision and not offer pedophiles a ticket to collect government disability payments while they are fulfilling their sexual fantasies??

Dead Teens Flying Body Parts Injure Woman&Court Rules She Can Sue Grieving Family #parents #teens #prolife

2012-01-09T18:31:00.001-07:00

This is one of the most odd stories I've heard in awhile, but it is also one of the most outrageous lawsuits I have ever heard of. How can anyone find it a legal right to sue the grieving family for the injuries caused by 'flying body parts' which injured a bystander,breaking her leg&wrist&injuring her shoulder?? It's not like these were life altering injuries and most likely she is fully recovered by now. I can't believe the Illinois appeals court would overturn the original decision to dismiss the lawsuit. The appeals court overturned it based on the argument that the accident was foreseeable&was negligence on the part of the teen killed while running to catch the train??!!

The Chicago Tribune reports the following:

An appeals court in Illinois....[rules] in what it called a "tragically bizarre" case, an appeals court found that the estate of a man killed by a train while crossing the Edgebrook Metra station tracks can be held liable after a part of his body sent airborne by the collision struck and injured a bystander. In 2008, Hiroyuki Joho, 18, was hurrying in pouring rain with an umbrella over his head, trying to catch an inbound Metra train due to arrive in about five minutes when he was struck by a southbound Amtrak train traveling more than 70 mph.

A large portion of his body was thrown about 100 feet on to the southbound platform, where it struck Gayane Zokhrabov, then 58, who was waiting to catch the 8:17 a.m. train to work. She was knocked to the ground, her leg and wrist broken and her shoulder injured. A Cook County judge dismissed Zokhrabov's lawsuit against Joho's estate, finding that Joho could not have anticipated Zokhrabov's injuries.

A state appeals court, after noting that the case law involving "flying bodies" is sparse, has disagreed, ruling that "it was reasonably foreseeable" that the high-speed train would kill Joho and fling his body down the tracks toward a platform where people were waiting. Leslie Rosen, who handled Zokhrabov's appeal, said that while the circumstances of the case were "very peculiar and gory and creepy," it ultimately was a straightforward negligence case, no different than if a train passenger had been injured after the engineer hit the brakes. "If you do something as stupid as this guy did, you have to be responsible for what comes from it," she said.

As The Stirs blog, Lindsey Mannering, says so bluntly...You think you've heard it all until I tell you that an appeals court in Illinois recently ruled that a woman is allowed to sue a dead teen's estate for injuries caused by his flying body parts. The 18-year-old boy was running across the Amtrak tracks to catch another train but didn't make it -- he was hit by an oncoming train going 70 mph and his body was torn apart by the force and flung onto a nearby passengers' waiting platform. The woman, 58, was struck by a sizable chunk of the boy's body and was knocked to the ground, breaking her leg and wrist. The court ruled that the boy's death was "reasonably foreseeable" and that his estate can be held responsible for his negligence.
I'm sorry, but who goes around suing a dead teen whose body was ripped to shreds in one of the most gruesome ways imaginable?
I can't say that my first or even fiftieth instinct after being pummeled to the ground by half of a bloody torso would be to raise my fist in the air and declare that whoever had the nerve to let their body explode and land on me will most certainly pay in court. Even if my leg was shattered, I still can't imagine going after the dead teen's estate.
The family of the deceased has suffered enough -- their son was blasted by a train. It doesn't get much worse than that. And to think that they have to endure a woman nitpicking her way into their bank accounts is disgusting. It's not like this kid had millions -- what is she hoping to gain from this lawsuit?
It won't make her leg any better. I can't imagine it'd help her heal in any way, shape, or form. I don't think a normal person would feel good about suing for injuries caused by a dead teen's flying body parts. Yeah, he did something incredibly stupid, but I think he paid the price. He's dead. His body was blown to bits. No need to drive the point home with what seems like a frivolous, greedy, and hurtful lawsuit.
If you were in the injured woman's shoes, would you sue, too?

How do you feel about this case??Do you think the woman will drop the case or continue to try and collect any settlement?

Rules for Parents-What are you teaching your children? #parents #kids #prolife #tcot

2012-01-06T12:22:00.000-07:00

Today I came across this humble post via twitter and thought it was worth sharing. While you may have other ideas to add to the list of 'rules' I thought this was a great start for moms/dads of boys, or kids in general, to keep in mind. We are our child's first teacher, cheerleader, role model, caregiver and friend. Make sure you teach them how to be a friend, cheerleader, teacher and role model to others. In today's society where morals are becoming a lost virtue, I think it is important that parents are there to teach these things, however some kids don't have the loving support in their home environment so it is important to help them find good role models and mentors out there.

One great role model, especially for boys, is Tim Tebow. While Tim Tebow takes a lot of media heat for his religious views and public displays of thanks to God, he is the kind of role model our children need. I only pray and hope my sons will be at least half the men he is. He is a strong leader, compassionate, giving, loving and a honest man, who enjoys sports and is a man's man as much as he is a ladies man. However, he is not your typical sports star, he is humble but thankful to our Lord and is not afraid to show it. He doesn't go around abusing drugs and using/raping women. He is giving through his time, charity and friendship. Therefore, if you are not able to teach your children well, at least be the adult role model they need, or respect those adult role models who can be there to influence good character in your children, after all they are our future.

With all the competing advice out there in Mommyland, sometimes it’s wonderful to sit back and read some wisdom that comes from the heart rather than the latest medical study or the “My kid is better than yours” school of thought.
That is definitely the case in this beautiful list from the blog Team Studer giving advice to the mothers of sons, but which can also be applied to the parent or guardian of any child equally as well. The author claims no expertise and acknowledges there’s likely to be plenty of disagreement out there as to her advice, and it’s that humble approach that makes these tidbits all the more easy to relate to.
Teach him the words for how he feels.
Your son will scream out of frustration and hide out of embarrassment. He'll cry from fear and bite out of excitement. Let his body move by the emotion, but also explain to him what the emotion is and the appropriate response to that emotion for future reference. Point out other people who are feeling the same thing and compare how they are showing that emotion. Talk him through your emotions so that someday when he is grown, he will know the difference between angry and embarrassed; between disappointment and grief.
Be a cheerleader for his life
There is no doubt that you are the loudest person in the stands at his t-ball games. There is no doubt that he will tell you to "stop, mom" when you sing along to his garage band's lyrics. There is no doubt that he will get red-faced when you show his prom date his pictures from boy scouts. There is no doubt that he is not telling his prom date about your blog where you've been bragging about his life from his first time on the potty to the citizenship award he won in ninth grade. He will tell you to stop. He will say he's embarrassed. But he will know that there is at least one person that is always rooting for him.
Read to him and read with him.
Emilie Buchwald said, "Children become readers on the laps of their parents." Offer your son the opportunity to learn new things, believe in pretend places, and imagine bigger possibilities through books. Let him see you reading...reading the paper, reading novels, reading magazine articles. Help him understand that writing words down is a way to be present forever. Writers are the transcribers of history and memories. They keep a record of how we lived at that time; what we thought was interesting; how we spoke to each other; what was important. And Readers help preserve and pass along those memories.
Full story at Team Studer.

While this is just a summary of the 25 rules this mom suggests, what are some rules you follow or would add to the list that have helped you raise your children well or you feel helped make you the best you can be?

©2008-2012 Patricia Garza

Are you a prolife terrorist? Or a concerned citizen with first amendment rights? #tcot #prolife #parents

2012-01-04T17:59:00.000-07:00

There has been a lot of online discussion about the NDAA,National Defense Authorization Act of 2012, signed into law by Obama this past holiday weekend. Yet many Americans are oblivious to the possible repercussions of this law&the rights that are being violated by this administration. Our Bill of Rights and inalienable rights to life,liberty&due process can easily be taken away by Obama if he decides you are a threat to our national security or a domestic threat. NDAA allows the president to determine which groups [or individuals] may be considered terrorists.

John Whitehead, founder of the Rutherford Institute
WASHINGTON, D.C., January 3, 2012 (LifeSiteNews.com) – Constitutional experts warn a new law that allows the president to permanently detain U.S. citizens without trial could be used against pro-life activists, who have already been defined as potential terrorists in documents by some government agencies, including the Department of Homeland Security.

“This law can apply to pro-lifers, yes,” said John W. Whitehead, a constitutional attorney and founder of The Rutherford Institute. Whitehead told LifeSiteNews.com the National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2012 (NDAA) “would allow the military to show up at your door if you’re a ‘potential terrorist,’ and put you in military detention where seeing a lawyer is difficult.”
The NDAA, which President Barack Obama signed on December 31, allows the president to hold enemy combatants in military detention facilities without trial until the end of hostilities, if the person “substantially supported al-Qaeda, the Taliban, or associated forces that are engaged in hostilities against the United States or its coalition partners.” The law allows the president to determine which groups may be considered terrorists without judicial or congressional oversight, although Secretary of Defense is required to “regularly brief” Congress about “covered persons.”

Sen. Carl Levin, D-MI, said the Obama administration specifically asked senators for the power to permanently detain American citizens without trial and to “remove the language which says that U.S. citizens and lawful residents would not be subject to this section.”

Although Section 1022 states, “The requirement to detain a person in military custody under this section does not extend to citizens of the United States,” many contend the law allows detention as an option for Americans captured abroad. Glenn Greenwald of Salon summarized, “For foreign nationals accused of being members of Al Qaeda, military detention is mandatory; for U.S. citizens, it is optional.”

Dana Cody, president and executive director of Life Legal Defense Foundation, said pro-life activists “already are classified as domestic terrorists on some FBI lists.” She said that on one occasion the manager of a Kansas City, Kansas, abortion clinic slammed her client, Mary Ann Sause, to the ground and told the peaceful pro-life demonstrator he was photographing her license plate so he could report her to the FBI.

Cody, who told LifeSiteNews.com her organization is currently studying the NDAA, added that the law states “enemy territory is anywhere.” The Senate rejected an amendment from Dianne Feinstein limiting permanent detention to those captured “abroad.”
“If it’s within the discretion of the government under the National Defense Authorization Act, of course it will be used by the government to intimidate and silence pro-life people, especially those who are in the public forum,” Cody said.

In his signing statement, President Obama wrote, “I want to clarify that my Administration will not authorize the indefinite military detention without trial of American citizens. Indeed, I believe that doing so would break with our most important traditions and values as a Nation.” [sic.]
“The signing statement means nothing,” Whitehead said. “The signing statement is a political thing he hoped would settle the fears of the ACLU. If you give the president the power to come get you, he’s going to do it if he needs to, or if the corporations funding him say you are a potential terrorist.”

Whitehead said one of his clients, street preacher Michael Marcavage, has become the target of an FBI terrorist investigation. Whitehead wrote a letter to FBI director Robert Mueller asking why Marcavage is being investigated for preaching the Gospel. The FBI has not responded.
Under this administration, the Department of Homeland Security has listed pro-life organizations as potential domestic terrorists and held joint training sessions with the FBI to monitor pro-life websites.

An April 2009 DHS report entitled “Rightwing [sic.] Extremism: Current Economic and Political Climate Fueling Resurgence in Radicalization and Recruitment,” identified as likely terrorists “groups and individuals that are dedicated to a single issue, such as opposition to abortion or immigration,” or who would be “antagonistic toward the new presidential administration and its perceived stance on a range of issues.” Such groups, the report concluded, “are the most dangerous domestic terrorism threat in the United States.” The DHS later pulled the report.

However, last August DHS and FBI agents attended a terrorism training seminar hosted by Planned Parenthood, the National Abortion Federation, and the Feminist Majority Foundation that equated free speech and distributing literature with violence. An 84-page resource guide listed three pages of potential extremist websites including Priests for Life, National Right to Life, the American Life League, Concerned Women for America, Human Life International, the American Center for Law and Justice, and the Christian Broadcasting Network.
In 1994-6, the Clinton administration’s Justice Department subpoenaed longtime pro-life activists in hopes of uncovering a terrorist conspiracy to kill abortionists. The Violence Against Abortion Providers Conspiracy (VAAPCON) program compiled a vast database of information on anti-abortion groups and individuals, including the National Right to Life Committee, the late John Cardinal O’Connor of New York, the late Rev. Jerry Falwell, Concerned Women for America, the Christian Coalition, Feminists for Life, and the U.S. Council of Catholic Bishops, which condemned the secret database.

Whitehead warns the NDAA is “a threat to anybody causing trouble – that means exercising your rights.”

Source:LifeSiteNews.com

What are your thoughts? Do you think our constitutional and inalienable rights are being infringed upon?If so, what do you plan to do about it? I for one will not vote for Obama and any of the senators who voted to pass this law, along with Obamacare and other bills that are imposing on our rights or that deny the rights of others, such as the right to life, our most valuable right of all.

©2008-2012 Patricia Garza

Happy New Year 2012...2011 in Review...The Good,Bad&Ugly! #prolife #tcot

2011-12-31T15:56:00.000-07:00

This is a good compilation of some of the biggest headlines in 2011. Unfortunately,the hope& change many thought was coming from the Obama administration in 2008 to the 'Arab Spring' of 2011 have turned into disasters for the economy and peace in the Middle East.

We are on the verge of a dangerous 2012 if things don't turn around soon. The economy is not improving and more Americans are on food stamps and dependent on the government then ever before; over 40% of children are growing up in poverty&in single parent homes. There is an obvious connection to the two, a single parent struggles to provide for their children, while two parent homes are more stable as both parents work together to provide for the family. High unemployment is a continued problem that is not expected to improve in 2012 unless and until the government reduces regulations on business& allows more natural resources to be used for lower energy production.

The Keystone Pipeline is a big issue that is being held up by the Obama administration thanks to environmentalists, although studies have shown it will not impact the environment as previously thought. A new plan has been developed to avoid aqua ducts through the Northeastern US. The administration must allow this pipeline to occur to open up jobs, up to 20,000, and improve the economy as well as reduce our dependence on foreign oil. Currently, other energy sources are not sustainable and until nuclear,wind power or other forms of energy production are sustainable we must rely on oil and coal production to keep costs down and our economy functioning and stabilized. Especially with the continued instability in the Middle East and Iran now threatening to cut off the strait of Hormuz which allows oil shipments to get through to the majority of the world.

Finally, the current economic situation around the world and the current administration in DC is not doing anything to fix the economy nor the needs of the poor. More spending has never worked and only leads to more debt&more people depending on the government for their needs. There are over 40 Million on food stamps,up from 30 Million prior to Obama's nomination.

Thankfully in 2012 the US Supreme Court will decide on the Affordable Care Act,Obamacare, which will further decrease the quality of health care in America, while cutting Medicare and causing health care costs to rise and mandates every American over 25 buy health insurance whether they want it or not. It will do none of the things we were promised,but will damage our health care system and the quality of care we will receive. Employers are already dropping health care plans because it will cost less for them to pay the fine rather than to provide employee health care plans. This means more people will have no choice and will have to take what the government gives them, so if you like your doctor, you may not get to keep your doctor or you may not get the treatment plans you need unless a panel of bureaucrats decides if you can receive the treatment and if it is cost effective.

The other good news is that 2011 has been a year of success for the prolife movement, as more Americans are turning against the need for abortion on demand. Here is a great summary by twitter friend Gabby Hoffman of some of the prolife legislation that has passed which proves more states and voters are turning away from abortion and want to protect the unborn.

Here is a compilation of some of my top tweets for 2011:[copy&paste to view links]
Ow.ly : Most Popular Links
1 http://ht.ly/1gseWQ http://www.breakingnews.com/item/ahBicmVha2luZ2...
#breaking #news .@CNBC: FCC says it is 'concerned' about Verizon Wireless $2 bill-pay fee an…
2 http://ht.ly/1goE2x http://www.reuters.com/article/2011/12/27/us-eg...
#breaking #news Egypt court ends virginity tests on female detainees - Reuters http://ht.ly/1goE…
3 http://ht.ly/1grvuC http://www.npr.org/blogs/thetwo-way/2011/12/29/...
#breaking #news Citizen journalist who chronicled Syrian uprising is killed by security forces - N…
4 http://ht.ly/1gfE8f http://beijing.usembassy-china.org.cn/121911p.html
#breaking #news Full White House statement on Kim Jong-il's death - @RichardBuangan http:/…
5 http://ht.ly/1gofLF http://content.usatoday.com/communities/ondeadl...
#breaking #news Navy preparing to test launch of a kamikaze drone from submarine - USA Tod…
6 http://ht.ly/1grxEG https://twitter.com/W7VOA/status/15258153772713...
#breaking #news #DPRK.: "...foolish politicians around the world including the puppet forces in …
7 http://ht.ly/1gmKzu http://www.breakingnews.com/item/ahBicmVha2luZ2...
#breaking #news Blast strikes third Nigerian church on Christmas day - @Reuters http://ht.ly/1g…
8 http://ht.ly/1gePno http://blogs.aljazeera.com/liveblog/egypt-dec-1...
#breaking #news Photo and video of woman in blue bra being beaten by Egyptian military in Ta…
9 http://ht.ly/1gmsCx http://www2.timesdispatch.com/news/news/2011/de...
#breaking #news 2 slain in Richmond, Va.; suspect flees with child in SUV - Times-Dispatch http…

Top Posts of 2011:

Forum Contest, Store Specials and More!

3,218 Pageviews

Inkheart

2,865 Pageviews

Update: Did #TSA agent masturbate while viewing HS...

1,689 Pageviews

A Face of Hope-Christina Taylor Green 9/11/01-1/8/...

785 Pageviews

#parents #kids #news #privacy Child suffers emotio...

649 Pageviews

Moms killing kids not nearly as rare as we think-c...

622 Pageviews

Why the #prochoice movement is flawed&ignores huma...

409 Pageviews

Update on Michael Brewer-Mom of teen set on fire

401 Pageviews

The Importance of Laughing With Your Baby

399 Pageviews

Kids Loungerie promotes pedophilia&exploits childr...

And to close this post enjoy this top dance hit by LMFAO:

Welcome to 2012!! May you find peace,love,prosperity&good health in 2012! May our country find healing,reunification and elect a more conservative,prolife Congress and President in 2012!!

©2008-2011 Patricia Garza

Merry CHRISTmas to all! May 2012 bring peace,love and a new POTUS!! #tcot #prolife #parents

2011-12-24T13:08:00.001-07:00

Merry Christmas to everyone reading this blog or passing through! I look forward to sharing more
thoughts and news in the New Year with you. It is my hope that you all have a safe,memorable Christmas
and a safe and memorable New Year! Let's hope for peace, love and a new President in 2012!
One who loves our country more than he loves himself and one that doesn't dash off on a $4million dollar vacation while telling the rest
of us Merry Christmas and Happy Holidays, see ya!
I didn't mean to get political but the election in 2012 is an important one and we must all stay vigilant and pray for our country and our freedoms.
Enjoy the song, I don't know who this artist is but he has a nice voice and this is one of my favorite Christmas songs! May 2012 bring us a prolife President who appoints a more prolife administration and SC judges.

What is Christmas all about?? This Christmas classic shares the story of Christ's birth! Whether you believe in Him or not this is the reason for the season and a time to give thanks to one another for all He has given us and our loved ones. Let's hope this cartoon continues to air on television so children are exposed to the true meaning of Christmas despite the growing war on Christmas each year.
Thanks to all for your support, friendship and for following on twitter and on my blog! I hope to get to know more of you in the coming year!

#10forTebow @TimTebow an inspiration for the #prolife and proabortion movement;who will prevail?? #tcot #sgp Please Help Save a Life!

2011-12-17T16:06:00.000-07:00

I am so tired and disgusted by proaborts, who call themselves "prochoice", which is actually pushing abortion and then using it to attack those who 'choose' not to abort. They hate the prolife movement so much they are using their hate by attacking the outspoken, prolife, Christian sports star and rising quarterback, Tim Tebow of the Denver Broncos. Their latest meme on twitter is called #10forTebow, which calls on proabort activists to donate $10 for each touchdown Tebow makes/assists in this Sundays, December 18,2011, game against the New England Patriots. They also plan to continue this nonsense into the playoffs if the Broncos make it.

As most are aware by now,Tim Tebow is a devoted Christian and inspirational player since his college days of winning the Heisman Trophy with the Florida Gators. He is now an upcoming, rising quarterback, bringing fans and his teammates exciting last quarter wins. Some believe it's his faith in God and his 'Tebowing',kneeling& praying during games, that helps his team win, whatever it is he plays hard,he's a true leader& inspires his teammates to get the job done.

Everyone whose heard of Tebow knows, Tim Tebow has never been afraid to share his faith and he always shows his devotion by thanking God on the field, on camera after games, in interviews, or through his prison ministry talking to those on death row and giving them hope for eternal life by making things right with God and accepting Christ into their life.

Yet, Tim Tebow, because of his success and being an outspoken Christian is often under attack from atheists and others who don't think he has what it takes to be the starting quarterback of the Denver Broncos. However, Tebow continues to prove them wrong, just as he proved doctors wrong when he was born.

His mother was diagnosed with a life threatening infection while carrying Tebow and doctors in the Phillipines,where his mom and dad lived for their Christian ministry, told her she would be better off to abort than to risk continuing the pregnancy to term. However, as devout Christians who believe in the sanctity of human life, his parents did not see abortion as an option, so she continued her pregnancy and gave birth to a healthy baby Tim Tebow 24 years ago.

It is my opinion the proabortion movement is so turned off by Tebow's mothers decision to carry him to term and prove doctors wrong, that they wish he was not born. His life and success are a slap in the face to every prochoice woman who believes the most caring thing they can do is abort their disabled or potentially doomed child or end a 'life threatening pregnancy'. Since Tebow has been making a lot of news lately with his final quarter wins, much media attention has been drawn on him again. In result, the attackers and haters are out in full force speaking out against his displays of 'Tebowing', Christianity and his prolife beliefs. As a result, the proaborts are pushing this disgusting and selfish meme, #10forTebow, to raise money to support women and 'doctors' who kill their unborn offspring.

Thankfully the prolife movement is countering this anti-life cause and have started to 'hijack' their twitter tag, #10forTebow,by drawing attention to prolife activists to spread the word to donate to Crisis Pregnancy Centers who help support women during crisis,unexpected pregnancies rather than abortions. Crisis Pregnancy Centers are known for providing the support women who are desperate need to save the life of their child rather than choose abortion. They help provide free sonograms, counseling, diapers, supplies and sometimes boarding and adoption referrals, should the woman choose adoption rather than raising the child. You would think the prochoice movement would appreciate the help Crisis Pregnancy Centers offer these women rather than attack them because they don't offer abortion services or referrals. The idea of a Crisis Pregnancy Center is to provide alternatives to abortion not abortion referrals and services. Find a Crisis Pregnancy Center in your area or elsewhere to donate to here.

Finally, if you want to help counter the proabort movement and save lives of defenseless humans in the safety of their mothers wombs, please join the cause on twitter and facebook to counter their attacks letting them know at #10forTebow that you support #prolife and Tim Tebow and will donate $10 for each touchdown or that you will donate your time or baby supplies to a Crisis Pregnancy Center to help save lives. In addition, the group Students for Life have started the site abolishabortion.com where you can save babies everyday. Or you can help use your $10 donation for each Tebow touchdown to help double a donors grant. Every donation received between now and December 31st will be DOUBLED up to $125,000.

Or you might want to donate to theTim Tebow Foundation where he is working with another nonprofit to raise money for a children's hospital in the Phillipines or helps fund playrooms in children's hospitals throughout the world. Wherever you decide to make your donation, I hope you will visit and donate to these charities or contribute supplies or help spread their message to others. Sharing help,hope, love and healing to those in need and saving lives of those most vulnerable should be a priority of everyone, not life ending abortions. Tim Tebow walks the walk and talks the talk. His priorities are where all of ours should be and this makes those who hate him hate him more, while those who love him will love him more. Let's make love conquer hate and life conquer death!

Teen Hires Gang Members to Kidnap 2 Week Old Baby to Cover Pregnancy Lie #prolife #prochocie #parents

2011-12-03T21:14:00.000-07:00

Desperate teen hires gang members to steal a newborn baby to keep her boyfriend. In the meantime, other women will go to extremes of killing their newborn and abandoning them in trash cans or aborting them. How can people have such disregard for human life. Babies are not property,whether in the womb or out, they are human beings entitled to life,liberty and the pursuit of happiness that everyone else is given. Anyone who denies they are human beings and wants to take their rights away whether in the womb or out have no respect for humanity and the dignity of human beings. Thankfully this story has a happy ending and the child was recovered, alive and well. The 17 year old teen and her accomplices will be tried and convicted and will face life in jail. This is what anyone who kidnaps, or harms a child or disregards the rights of another human being,born or unborn should face. Life, without parole, especially to anyone who harms,kills or abuses a human person, born or unborn. All human beings deserve to be respected at all stages of life and nobody should take their inalienable right to life away from them or treat them like a piece of property.

(L-R) Robert Rodriguez, Gladys Remigio and Steven Quirino appear in these mugshots provided by The Orange County District Attorney's Office. (Courtesy The Orange County District Attorney's Office)

By OLIVIA KATRANDJIAN
Dec. 3, 2011
A teenager has been arrested on accusations of being the mastermind of an elaborate scheme to kidnap a 2-week-old baby in Santa Ana, Calif., according to police.
Gladys Remigio,17, was arraigned Friday for allegedly enlisting two gang members, 20-year-old Steven Quirino and 19-year-old Robert Rodriguez, to steal her roommate's 15-day-old daughter.
The newborn's mother, who is identified only as "Norma," told police that on the morning of Nov. 29, Remigio entered her bedroom with a man armed with a gun and ordered Norma into the bathroom. Norma's other children were asleep.
Norma managed to escape when the two men fled the scene, and she found her baby outside with Remigio.

At first, the police thought that Remigio was also a victim of the robbery, because she rents a room at Norma's house with her father. But police soon learned Remigio's twisted back story.
"She's engaged to a guy who thinks that she's 8 months pregnant and working in New York City. But she's not pregnant," Santa Ana Police Cpl. Anthony Bertagna said. "Eight months into this lie, she's living with these people who have a 2-week old baby. So her master plan was to befriend these two hardcore gang members and have them rob the house.
"The deal was that she would pay them a little bit of cash and they could steal her iPhone and whatever else they could find in the house," he said.

Source - ABC News

©2008-2011 Patricia Garza

A Day of Thanks to All of You! Happy Thanksgiving!

2011-11-24T07:57:00.000-07:00

Dear Readers,Tweeters and Friends of Little Bytes News...

Thank you for following along,stopping by and taking the time to visit my blog and/or leave comments and share my articles. I appreciate all of you and wish you and your family the best Thanksgiving! Enjoy time spent with family near and far, these are the moments that make memories and help to bond families. Keep your family and friends close and always show your thanks to God. Today is the day our Founders set aside for us to remember everything we are grateful for. I am most thankful for my beautiful family, my loving, hardworking husband and my two boys. May God bless you and yours and keep you healthy,safe and happy!

Happy Thanksgiving

Thanksgiving is a particularly American holiday. The word evokes images of football, family reunions, roasted turkey with stuffing, pumpkin pie and, of course, the Pilgrims and Wampanoag, the acknowledged founders of the feast. But was it always so? Read on to find out...This article explores the development of our modern holiday. For information on food at the First Thanksgiving, go to Partakers of our Plenty. For additional children's resources on Thanksgiving, you might want to view Scholastic's Virtual Field Trip to Plimoth Plantation, explore our Online Learning Center, or visit our Homework Help page. If you'd like to join us for Thanksgiving dinner, please visit our Thanksgiving Dining and Special Events page.
Giving thanks for the Creator’s gifts had always been a part of Wampanoag daily life. From ancient times, Native People of North America have held ceremonies to give thanks for successful harvests, for the hope of a good growing season in the early spring, and for other good fortune such as the birth of a child. Giving thanks was, and still is, the primary reason for ceremonies or celebrations.
As with Native traditions in America, celebrations - complete with merrymaking and feasting - in England and throughout Europe after a successful crop are as ancient as the harvest-time itself. In 1621, when their labors were rewarded with a bountiful harvest after a year of sickness and scarcity, the Pilgrims gave thanks to God and celebrated His bounty in the Harvest Home tradition with feasting and sport (recreation). To these people of strong Christian faith, this was not merely a revel; it was also a joyous outpouring of gratitude.
Jan van de Velde, August from The Twelve Months (series of engravings), 1616. Collection of Plimoth Plantation.
The arrival of the Pilgrims and Puritans brought new Thanksgiving traditions to the American scene. Today’s national Thanksgiving celebration is a blend of two traditions: the New England custom of rejoicing after a successful harvest, based on ancient English harvest festivals; and the Puritan Thanksgiving, a solemn religious observance combining prayer and feasting.
Florida, Texas, Maine and Virginia each declare itself the site of the First Thanksgiving and historical documents support the various claims. Spanish explorers and other English Colonists celebrated religious services of thanksgiving years before Mayflower arrived. However, few people knew about these events until the 20^th century. They were isolated celebrations, forgotten long before the establishment of the American holiday, and they played no role in the evolution of Thanksgiving. But as James W. Baker states in his book, Thanksgiving: The Biography of an American Holiday, "despite disagreements over the details" the 3-day event in Plymouth in the fall of 1621 was "the historical birth of the American Thanksgiving holiday."

So how did the Pilgrims and Wampanoag come to be identified with the First Thanksgiving?

Continue Reading
©2008-2011 Patricia Garza

Disgusting>>Missouri Babysitter Charged With Sodomizing, Burning 18mos Old Baby&Raping 15yro #parents #kids #safety

2011-11-24T01:05:00.000-07:00

What a disgusting person this guy is. I hope he serves life in jail for this crime. Sadly, he probably won't,because pedophile laws&rape/abuse laws are too lenient. Pedophiles are the biggest creeps next to murderers and abortionists in my opinion. Personally I wouldn't hire a male babysitter either,not to say a female couldn't commit a heinous crime,but it is more likely a male would in these cases. Poor baby, I hope he/she will be ok and never remember what was done to him/her and that the child's aunt recovers and gets the help and support she'll need after being raped at 15.

Booking photo of David Norton. (credit: St. Ann Police Department)

ST. ANN, Mo. (KMOX) – A 24-year-old man has been charged with sodomizing and burning an 18-month-old infant.
According to St. Ann police reports obtained by KMOX, David Norton allegedly burned the child with cigarettes. Police believe this abuse was going on for six months.
Police also believe Norton talked the child’s 15-year-old aunt into having sex with him.

Benneton Clothing company disrespects our country,our Christian heritage&the Catholic Church #tcot #prolife #religion

2011-11-17T00:29:00.000-07:00

Sacerdotus: Disgusting Gay Ad: The Benneton Clothing company recently tried to promote the "Unhate" campaign. In this campaign, there are images showing homosexual acts ...
The Benneton Clothing company recently tried to promote the "Unhate" campaign. In this campaign, there are images showing homosexual acts using altered photos of Pope Benedict XVI and an Imam. Other photos include President Obama and Venezuelan President Chavez in the same disgusting pose.

This was sent to me by a twitter friend @Sacerdotus and it is disgusting to see that mainstream retailers tried to depict our President as a gay man,though there are some questions about his past, and a picture of the Pope kissing an Imam. This shows total disrespect for our country,our countries Christian heritage&the Catholic Church. Thankfully,there was enough outrage towards the marketing campaign it was cancelled immediately.

©2008-2011 Patricia Garza

Sandusky attorney: 'Showering with kids doesn't make him guilty'-but does it make him a pedophile? #parents #kids #prolife #Christian

2011-11-16T09:46:00.000-07:00

By now we have all heard about the Pennsylvania State University child sex abuse scandal, yet it is hard to believe the coach accused, Jerry Sandusky, and his attorney claims, 'Showering with kids doesn't make him guilty'.

Visit msnbc.com for breaking news, world news, and news about the economy

How can anyone in their right mind not see something wrong with that statement? Of course a grown man should not be taking showers with underage boys in a school locker room,or anywhere else, and 'horsing around' with them. That in itself is a form of public indecency and pedophilia. He can claim he's not attracted to young boys all he wants, but when you have him in a recent interview with Bob Costas saying he would put his hand on their legs,take showers with young boys after practice and enjoys spending time with young kids, particularly boys, I'm sorry but he sounds like a pedophile and his actions are beyond acceptable for an adult.

Asked the question of why so many alleged victims would come forward if nothing inappropriate or illegal had occurred, Sandusky told Costas, “I would guess that there are many young people who would come forward,’’ Sandusky said. “Many more young people who would come forward and say that my methods and what I had done for them made a very positive impact on their life.
“And I didn't go around seeking out every young person for sexual needs that I've helped. There are many that I didn't have — I hardly had any contact with who I have helped in many, many ways."
When asked if he was sexually attracted to young boys, Sandusky struggled at first: "Sexually attracted? You know, I enjoy young people. I love to be around them. But no, I'm not sexually attracted to young boys."[my emphasis]

Of course he didn't go seeking them out, Sandusky was entrusted to care for and help those vulnerable children from his charity,Second Mile, instead he abused his position of power and their loyalty by grooming these children to believe he cared for them. Children who are vulnerable and feel unloved or lack self-esteem are at the greatest risk for being abused by sexual predators because they are seeking acceptance and love. It's a case where any attention is good attention to them. This is why some high risk children get involved with drugs or other criminal behavior, or in this case, become victims of sexual abuse.

Children want to feel loved more than anything else and sometimes they are so lacking in love they will accept any attention even if it is unacceptable under the law. Children don't always know what is right and wrong, some do, but they grow to trust the adults in their lives, especially if they are paying attention to them and doing things with them, like taking them to games or giving them gifts and treating them like they are special. This is why parent involvement and love must always be a priority in a child's life.

The assistant coach, then a graduate student Mike McQueary, who reportedly witnessed Sandusky in the shower with an 8-year old boy,several years ago, now claims he reported the incident to the police and stopped it from occurring. However, initial Grand Jury Testimony reports said that he called his father and then waited a day to report it to the head coach, Joe Paterno and then left it to him to deal with the situation. But according to CBS News, after investigating further, it has come to light that the assistant coach who witnessed this horrible incident, Mike McQueary, did not report the incident to the police and stop the child rape he witnessed.

Both Penn State's campus police and the State College police department say they never received reports from then-Penn State graduate assistant Mike McQueary related to an allegation of child sexual abuse against former defensive coordinator Jerry Sandusky.

There is so much more to come and involved in this horrific case. I pray the victims all get justice and find the help they need to move on and I hope Sandusky and any others who covered it up or were involved in this heinous crime are charged. What upsets me most is the cover up and the act of committing such heinous acts on vulnerable children. But, I've said it before and will say it again, until respect for all human life from conception to natural death becomes the law,child abuse and other forms of abuse will continue. Sadly, there are some "experts", even in Congress who seem to think pedophilia is a 'sexual orientation' worth protecting under the law. God forbid this ever becomes the norm and acceptable in our society. They believe, "pedophiles are people too",and like homosexuality and gender identity that they should be protected under the law, because it's not who you love,but who you identify as that matters. However, these are behavioral problems, not sexual orientation or gender related. Homosexuality, for example, was once classified as a mental/sexual disorder until the homosexual movement had it removed from the DSM IV, Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, 4th. Edition. How soon before pedophilia and other unacceptable/unsafe behavior problems become protected under the law???

©2008-2011 Patricia Garza

2011 Veteran's Day Free Meals and Discounts for Vets,active duty&reserve #tcot #sot #veteransday

2011-11-11T17:00:00.001-07:00

Happy Veteran's Day to all those who served&gave all,are serving

and those who will serve in the future to keep America free.

In memory of my grandfather who served in WWI,my dad who served in WWII

&my uncles who served in the Korean War&my brother-in-law currently serving in the Army&served in Iraq two times.

2011 Veteran’s Day Free Meals and Discounts

[Note:some discounts apply after November 11, 2011]

Two notes before jumping in:

Proof of Military Service. First, most companies require some form of military ID – including a U.S. Uniform Services ID Card (active/reserve/retired), Current Leave and Earnings Statement (LES), Photograph in uniform, be wearing uniform (if your service permits), Veterans Organization Card (e.g., American Legion and VFW), DD214, discharge paperwork, or other form of identification. Other restaurants and companies may only require a photo of you in uniform, or go by the honor system.
Participation. Second, always call ahead to verify locations, times, and participation. Many of the listed companies are franchises and may have different policies. We will do our best to keep this page updated as we find new info.

2011 Free Veterans Day Meals

Applebee’s – free meal, Friday, Nov. 11: Last year, Applebee’s served 1,024,000 million free meals to military veterans and active servicemembers. Applebee’s is again offering a free meal to military veterans and active-duty service members on Veteran’s Day, Friday, Nov. 11, 2011. There will be 7 entrées to choose from. Military ID or proof of service required. Find locations at http://applebees.com/.
Bar Louie, Free meal on Veterans Day. Active duty military members and veterans can receive a free meal, up to $10 in value, and a free non-alcoholic beverage. Available at all locations, military ID or proof of service is required. See FaceBook page for more info.
BJs Restaurant and Brewhouse, Fri. Nov. 11th. Complimentary lunch entree or a one topping mini pizza for dinner. Offer valid to all active duty military and veterans, with proof of service. More info.
Champps Americana. We’re celebrating our Veterans with an All American Meal! All Veterans and Active Military will receive a free burger on November 11th! Proof of service required. Offer not valid for the Pepperjack Bacon Stack Burger or Kobe Burger. Dine in only, valid at participating locations. Find a location near you.
Chili’s – free meal, Friday, Nov. 11. Chili’s is offering all military veterans past and present their choice of one of 6 meals. This offer is available from 11am – 5pm on November 11, 2011 at participating Chili’s in the U.S. only. Dine-in from limited menu only; beverages and gratuity not included. Veterans and active duty military simply show proof of military service. Visit their website to find locations.
Denny’s Veterans Day Appreciation Event, Nov. 11. 2011. Free Grand Slam breakfast to any veteran from. Participating markets include select diners in Maryland, Virginia, Arizona, New Mexico, Texas, Indiana, Colorado and Washington, DC (from 6:00am – 2:00pm), as well as the following New York locations: Syracuse, Rochester, and Buffalo areas (from 6:00am – 10:00pm). Call ahead to verify, and check with your local Denny’s if you live in another area. Source.
Fox & Hound and Bailey’s Sports Bar. Veterans and Active Duty Military will receive a free item from the 7 under $7 menu. Active military ID, retiree card, or other proof of service required. Visit site for location information.
Golden Corral – Free meal, Monday Nov. 14: The 10th annual Golden Corral Military Appreciation dinner will be held on Monday, November 14, 2011 from 5 pm to 9 pm in all Golden Corral Restaurants nationwide. The free “thank you” dinner is available to any person who has ever served in the United States Military. If you are a veteran, retired, currently serving, in the National Guard or Reserves, you are invited to participate in Golden Corral’s Military Appreciation Monday dinner. For more information visit http://www.goldencorral.com/military/.

Special thanks to Golden Corral: To date, Golden Corral restaurants have provided over 2.5 million free meals and contributed over $4.3 million to the Disabled American Veterans organization.

Read more from source article: Please credit this resource: We are frequently updating this list with new deals and offers for the military community. If you use items this list, please direct your visitors to this page so they can find the most up to date information: http://themilitarywallet.com/veterans-day-free-meals-and-discounts/ Thanks!

©2008-2011 Patricia Garza

Afghani mother and daughter stoned to death for adultery #tcot #jcot #islam #sharia

2011-11-11T14:39:00.000-07:00

It's not islamophobia when they really believe in killing under sharia law.

AsiaNews has reported the stoning of two women, a mother and daughter, both accused of adultery.

According to the organisation, the two were killed Thursday in Ghazni, 138 kikometres southeast of Kabul, only a few hundreds metres from government offices.

Sources told AsiaNews that a group of armed men entered the house where the young widow lived with her daughter.

After accusing them of adultery, they were taken out of the house and stoned before being shot dead.

Despite the sound of screams and gunshots, it appears authorities were not immediately contacted by friends or neighbours.

Officials have said a number of religious leaders in the city have been issuing fatwas, a part of sharia law, asking people to report any one who has allegedly been "involved in adultery".

Afghani mother and daughter stoned to death for adultery

Beware posting family pictures online...mom finds sons picture on pedophile site! #parents #kids #tech

2011-10-20T13:27:00.000-07:00

This is why I no longer post pictures of my kids online....though my husband does but only shares with friends on Facebook. However, if you want true privacy and security don't share anything online that you don't want to become public, this should apply to what you say and what you share as far as pictures go. I'd even go so far as to say not to share anything by email that you don't want seen/shared publicly because email isn't always 100% secure.

©2008-2011 Patricia Garza

The sanctity of marriage-til death do us part;it's not just a verse but a commitment to love&God #DOMA #tcot #prolife

2011-10-19T21:18:00.001-07:00

This couple's story is one of the greatest love stories I have seen and heard in my lifetime since the story of Romeo&Juliet. They lived a long and happy life together,raised a family and sadly, died together holding hands while in ICU after a recent car accident. Their story also reminds me why the sanctity of marriage must be protected.

The Yeagers' children told KCCI.com that their parents never liked being apart ever since Norma Stock married Gordon Yeager on May 26, 1939, in State Center. And they were relieved that the couple was able to spend their last moments together at the intensive care unit of the Marshalltown hospital.

The Yeager's
"They brought them in the same room in intensive care and put them together — and they were holding hands in ICU. They were not really responsive," Dennis Yeager told KCCI.com.
Gordon died at 3:38 p.m. surrounded by their family and holding hands with Norma.

"It was really strange, they were holding hands, and dad stopped breathing but I couldn't figure out what was going on because the heart monitor was still going," said Dennis Yeager. "But we were like, he isn't breathing. How does he still have a heart beat? The nurse checked and said that's because they were holding hands and it's going through them. Her heart was beating through him and picking it up."

Norma died at 4:48 p.m., according to KCCI.com.
"Neither one of them would've wanted to be without each other. I couldn't figure out how it was going to work," the Yeagers' daughter Donna Sheets told KCCI.com. "We were very blessed, honestly, that they went this way."

Anyone who thinks marriage is just a piece of paper or a verse which proclaims 'til death do us part' is mistaken. True love, everlasting love, is a commitment to unconditional love and a life of giving, forgiving and living together with an unconditional commitment to your spouse,and your children and God. When I hear people wanting to turn marriage into a social issue they are entitled to I have to disagree. Marriage is not a social issue anyone is entitled the right to have,but a commitment and sacrifice to each other under God that you will love and abide by the other person, respect them and care for them through the good,the bad and the ugly under God's wishes.

Marriage is a sacrament;a civil union is not&therefore should not be called marriage. Marriage is a bond you make between your spouse&God;a civil union is not between God but between the couple&the court,which often ends up in divorce much sooner. There is not a true bond&commitment unless you marry through the blessings of God and the Church. This is why marriage is a sacrament between a man and a woman. Only men and woman are recognized as married couples under the law&under God otherwise the sanctity of marriage becomes open to polygamy,incestual marriage and other abominations that do not allow for the blessings of God&humanity.

Marriage is not a commitment to take lightly,despite this, too many believe they can easily get a divorce if things don't work out. Nobody should go into marriage thinking that they can always get out of it, but should go into it planning how to make it last. [Of course I draw the line on infidelity and abuse]. But anyone who goes into marriage thinking, "oh we'll see how it goes and let's give it a try for a couple years" or "let's live together first and then later we can get married" is missing the main point of what marriage is about. Not to mention,those who cohabitate often end up separating and never getting married, and/or not having children and lack any commitment to one another,thus the reason their relationships often fail.

Marriage is a lifetime commitment and sacrament to not only each other, but our Creator. It is a promise to stick together and do all you can to show compassion and love for another human being while welcoming children into your life. The bond that keeps you together is the bond that makes the sanctity of marriage one worth fighting for. Nobody should abuse their spouse and their vows to marriage. Finally,in defense of marriage between a man and a woman, we must protect this covenant to protect the nuclear family and the continuation of a moral&stable society.

This couple from Iowa is the perfect example of what true love,marriage and commitment really is about. Their love and commitment is evident in the pictures and the stories told by their children, and by the grace of God they were able to live a long happy life&legacy behind and leave this world while holding one another's hands.

Read their story here:
Couple Married 72 Years Dies Holding Hands - Des Moines News Story - KCCI Des Moines

©2008-2011 Patricia Garza

Imagine a world without Steve Jobs....may he RIP #prolife #prochoice #tech

2011-10-05T20:51:00.000-07:00

Tonight the world mourns the loss of a visionary...a legend in the field of technology, but how many knew he was adopted?? Imagine if Steve Jobs hadn't been given the chance at life, imagine the loss of innovation and technology we would have in the world today. I do not own any Apple products,wish I could afford one, but a majority of people have used an Apple product or own one and the world knows of Apple products. Today we lost a man who changed the world for the better and made it easier to communicate and work.

Bound for Life has a great post in memorial,but also highlights the importance of each life and the decisions we make in our lives.Here is a clip from the post,which includes a quote from one of Jobs commencement speeches:

What will probably be talked about in coming days is Jobs’ adoption story. A choice his mother made for his life changed the way we live now. Called the Thomas Edison of this age, and sure to be studied in classes on creative genius, like the ones I took in graduate school, Jobs’ life was one made possible by adoption, the thing we know is the solution to abortion. Jobs told his story in a commencement speech at Stanford University in 2005:

It started before I was born. My biological mother was a young, unwed college graduate student, and she decided to put me up for adoption. She felt very strongly that I should be adopted by college graduates, so everything was all set for me to be adopted at birth by a lawyer and his wife. Except that when I popped out they decided at the last minute that they really wanted a girl. So my parents, who were on a waiting list, got a call in the middle of the night asking: "We have an unexpected baby boy; do you want him?" They said: "Of course." My biological mother later found out that my mother had never graduated from college and that my father had never graduated from high school. She refused to sign the final adoption papers. She only relented a few months later when my parents promised that I would someday go to college.

Of course, Jobs’ success would have made any parent proud, but as the story points out, in today’s society, he would have been considered an inconvenience, perhaps not worthy of being born in the name of the mother’s choice:

The moral of the story is,we should not panic and choose abortion but should always consider adoption if we are unable to parent a child and raise them. For those who say, adoption is only an option for parenting but not for pregnancy and therefore choose to abort, you are acting selfishly. You are proabortion and not prochoice, because if you were truly prochoice you would choose the humane option and give your offspring a chance at life and a chance to succeed. Pregnancy is not a disease and the majority of women survive childbirth and have healthy babies. The sad thing is that 98% of those aborted are healthy fetus and the mothers are healthy,but just don't feel like being pregnant or raising a child. I hope you will remember the story of Steve Jobs and others who were adopted and went on to change the world for the better.

©2008-2011 Patricia Garza

Obama Waives Penalties on Countries That Employ Child Soldiers – Again! NGOs&Human Rights Community Upset #prolife #childabuse #tcot

2011-10-05T10:18:00.000-07:00

According to a new report,known as the 2011 Trafficking in Persons (TIP) report, Yemen is set to receive $35 million from the United States in foreign military financing;even though the US doesn't know who is actually in control of the military. In the mean time, the US is waiving penalties on countries such as Yemen,Sudan and others who use child soldiers and violate the Child Soldier Prevention Act.

According to the progressive site,Common Dreams, NGO's and other Obama supporters, are not happy with the administrations decision to waive penalties against these countries for a second year. It could be another thorn in the Obama side while campaigning for re-election in 2012.

President Barack Obama has decided to waive almost all the legally mandated penalties for countries that use child soldiers and provide those countries U.S. military assistance, just like he did last year.
The Obama Administration has laid out a range of justifications for waiving penalties on Yemen, South Sudan, Chad, and the Democratic Republic of the Congo, all of which amount to a gutting of the law for the second year in a row. The White House is expected to soon announce its decision to issue a series of waivers for the Child Soldiers Protection Act, a 2008 law that is meant to stop the United States from giving military aid to countries that recruit soldiers under the age of 15 and use them to fight wars. The administration has laid out a range of justifications for waiving penalties on Yemen, South Sudan, Chad, and the Democratic Republic of the Congo, all of which amount to a gutting of the law for the second year in a row.

Last year, the White House didn't even tell Congress or the NGO community when it decided to do away with the Child Soldiers Prevention Act penalties. Most had to read about it first on The Cable. Aid workers, human rights activists, and even congressional offices were shocked that the administration had gutted the law without consulting them.

The White House argued at the time that because the law was new, the offending countries didn't have time to comply. As part of their damage control effort, they put National Security Council Senior Director Samantha Power on a private conference call with NGO workers (that we eavesdropped on) to explain that these waivers would only be for one year -- but that in the second year, the administration was going to enforce the law in full.
"Our judgment was to brand them, name them, shame them, and then try to leverage assistance in a fashion to make this work," Power said at the time. "Our judgment is we'll work from inside the tent."
Apparently that plan was scuttled, because the administration has decided to waive almost all the penalties again, despite the fact that little progress has been made in any of the offender countries.
In a meeting with NGO representatives on Tuesday afternoon at the White House, State Department officials, led by Deputy Assistant Secretary for Democracy, Human Rights, and Labor Dan Baer, explained this year's reasons why the White House will continue to give military funding to countries that use child soldiers.

For South Sudan, State Department officials argued that since the country didn't exist when the latest report on child soldier abuse came out, that country doesn't fall under the law. Their reasoning is that the report in question, known as the 2011 Trafficking in Persons (TIP) report, came out June 27. South Sudan was declared independent 12 days later on July 9. They will receive $100 million in U.S. military aid this year.
"South Sudan may be a new country, but it's not a blank slate here," one attendee at the White House meeting told The Cable. "There's been two decades of child soldier use and unfulfilled promises by the [Sudan People's Liberation Army]."
For Yemen, the administration's argument is simply that counter terrorism cooperation with that country is too important to suspend. Yemen is set to receive $35 million from the United States in foreign military financing. What stunned activists in the room, however, was State Department officials' admission that they don't know who actually controls the Yemeni military these days.
"The officials said, ‘We don't even know day by day who we're even talking to,'" one attendee reported.

.....snip

Does the Obama administration not care about children being used&abused as child soldiers? It doesn't surprise me considering this administration is so willing to fund Planned Parenthood with US taxpayer money to perform over 300K abortions per year. According to Rep. Jeff Fortenberry (R-NE), vice chairman of the House Foreign Affairs Subcommittee on Africa, Global Health and Human Rights the US is violating the US Child Soldiers Prevention Act:

To the human rights community, today's action by the White House represents both an abandonment of efforts to protect children, and a betrayal of the NGO community, which had been promised that this year would be different from last year.

"The White House said last year that they were putting these countries on notice but now it's a year later and the U.S. is still handing over taxpayer money to countries that use child soldiers with no strings attached," said Jo Becker, advocacy director for the children's rights division at Human Rights Watch.

"President Obama's decision today to provide taxpayer funded military assistance to countries that use children as soldiers is an assault on human dignity," said Rep. Jeff Fortenberry

"Our law states that America does not fund the use of child soldiers," he said. "Any exceptions must be temporary and intended to help stop this pernicious practice."
The White House's justification memo can be found here.
The White House and State Department did not respond to requests for comment.

Read More:Common Dreams
©2008-2011 Patricia Garza

After abortion is criminalized;will abortion end? #prolife #prochoice #humanrights

2011-10-05T04:00:00.000-07:00

I responded yesterday on twitter to @bronwynvavugt regarding her question regarding abortion and what does a vote to end abortion mean? See her blog response below:

How do you end abortion without criminalizing it? Posted on October 3, 2011 That’s the million dollar question, isn’t it? But if you think the way to end abortion is to make it illegal and walk away, then may I ask you: did the Prohibition work? I recently tweeted about the amazing 180 video. Well worth the watch. I had a question, however: What does “vote to end abortion” mean? Will a vote to make abortion illegal actually “end abortion”? A fellow tweeter responded: “It might not stop women from getting an abortion, but it will make it criminal and punishable by law.”

Well, yee-haw! Crime and punishment, oh boy! So I asked: “What is it you want, to end abortion, or to make criminals and punish them?” To all politically right-wing pro-lifers, I ask you the same question. Which do you want? They are two totally different things. She responded by asking what I want–fair enough–and how I think abortion can be ended without criminalizing it. As inconvenient as it may be, the answer to that question simpy cannot be contained in 140 characters, nor can it be contained in a blog post. It is, however, a good question, and so, I share my preliminary thoughts. Ending abortion must begin by creating a society that supports women in the act of bearing children. This means everything from providing basic healthcare (both to the mother and to the child) to monetary and social support for raising a child, to making sure that women will have equal opportunities in their career whether or not they choose to have a child.

Read more at her blog:
How do you end abortion without criminalizing it?
Today she responded to me via twitter with the above post. We are both on the side of protecting human life,however she seems to believe it is an extremist view to criminalize abortion. I responded with the following and am awaiting her approval on her blog, but thought I would go ahead and post this topic here since it is a worthwhile question and discussion. This also leads me to also ask, after abortion is criminalized; will abortion end?
Here is my response:
Thanks for sharing your thoughts and views. Sadly, the only way to ensure we are a country of law and order is to make laws against killing other human beings. Sure, some women might still risk their lives&self abort,but as before Roe v Wade many women chose to abstain. Birth control pills and abortions have made it easier for women to say yes to sex and no to motherhood. Over half of abortions occur because the woman's birth control failed and because she consented to sex. 98% of abortions,according to the CDC and Guttmacher statistics, show that the majority of women because they don't feel like giving birth,raising a child yet,etc choose abortion. Therefore, the abortions are not medically necessary,but elective and intentional killing. Sadly, 60% of women/teens are coerced into abortion by family,friends,boyfriends,husbands,etc. [according to statistics found at http://unchoice.org]
I think we won't end abortion until everyone learns to respect human life and is educated in the scientific fact that human life begins at conception and that the abortion issue is a human rights issue. Without the right to life we do not have any human rights. Once a woman conceives she is pregnant,told to take care of herself,take prenatal vitamins,get regular prenatal checkups,eat well, etc for the health of the mother and the baby. Yet, too many women who resort to abortion are lied to by abortionists like Planned Parenthood who tells them abortion is simply a medical procedure that terminates a pregnancy,removes a blob of cells and empties their uterus. Many women have been lied to and continue to be lied to and come to regret their abortion because they know they have ended another human beings life.
I would not say 'right wing extremists' are the only ones who believe abortion should be made illegal and criminalized but many believe that when someone takes the life of another human being,such as murder,feticide,etc. the person or accomplice in the taking of that life should be charged with a crime. If you don't criminalize unjust and inhumane behavior you are allowing it to go unpunished and without consequence and enable it. Sure, people might still abort,just as people still kill others and abuse their children,but we must have laws to protect all human life and defend their right to exist. The unborn,disabled,children,the elderly are most vulnerable in society,yet we are allowing them to be killed because their mother doesn't feel like having a child yet.[see my recent post on this topic here:http://bit.ly/mZmG5F ]
People need to be held accountable for their actions,especially when 98% of abortions are elective and due to consensual sex. Children are not mistakes, planned or unplanned, they must all be protected by law from the moment of conception.
Criminalizing abortion has nothing to do with being 'righteous' nor wanting to control someone's life,but about human rights and allowing everyone the right to be born&protecting that life. I agree we need to support programs that try to help women provide for their child and support crisis pregnancy centers,etc and make more women aware of the help that is available, especially when women often feel like they have no other choice. Parents of teens need to teach self respect and personal responsibility,handing out condoms and telling them to be safe is not enough. They need to teach abstinence,personal responsibility and respect for human life from womb to tomb because we all started out in our mother's womb.
Finally,women are given more opportunities to work and raise children. More women are actually making more than men in many positions in society. [see this link:http://bit.ly/oP4427] Women are no longer the ones who stay home and raise the kids, men are taking a more active role and are more involved with child rearing. Women are not just 'incubators' like the prochoice movement likes to describe those who choose life,but we are able to have careers or stay at home and raise our children. It is a fallacy to think otherwise. Sorry for such a long reply..but as you said 140 wasn't enough to discuss this topic&there never will be a one size fits all solution, but we must protect all life even if we have to criminalize those who should be nurturing life.

Moral standards have been replaced by feelings. What's right&wrong is not being taught #prolife #parents #prochoice

2011-10-01T18:06:00.000-07:00

Dennis Prager has a great article that describes how secularism is taking morality out of society and replacing what's right and wrong with how someone feels about a situation. While some may think doing drugs is ok for them or getting an abortion is ok for them,it is considered morally wrong for a majority of people, especially those with a sense of right and wrong. Often our sense of right and wrong is based on the laws of our judicial system, which had long been based on Judeo-Christian values and morals, such as those stated in the Ten Commandments. However, as our society drifts from these morals and values, we have drifted into secularism and have legalized such things as abortion and same sex marriage to using drugs to cure our ailments,such as "medical marijuana".

While the United States is not a theocracy, we are a nation of laws and we are a nation founded on the values and morals of Judaism and Christianity, despite what some may say or think, including our so called 'Christian' President. However, regardless of laws&religion, those with common sense should know right from wrong without having a judicial system,religion or the government telling them what is right and wrong. For example,we should all have the common sense&decency to know that killing another human being is wrong, even though it is also one of the Ten Commandments. This is a law in most countries,unless they enforce the death penalty against those who are a danger to society&others and have harmed/killed another human being. Even though 'thou shall not kill' is one of the Ten Commandments, it doesn't mean societies who oppose murder are practicing Christianity nor enforcing a theocracy on the people, but it is enforcing law and order in a civilized society.

If we don't respect the life of another human being, who has committed no crime against another whether born or not yet born, then our society will be no better than an uncivilized society that savagely kills and abuses other human beings and denies them their life,liberty and happiness. Such human rights violations occur daily in third world countries such as Somalia,Sudan,Iran,North Korea and others where people are denied the simple freedom and right to eat, live and prosper. Sadly, it also happens daily in the United States and other developed countries such as the UK, Australia, and Canada, where prenatal humans are denied the basic right to live because the mother didn't feel like having a baby and doesn't feel like raising a child. This is another example where morals,what's right&wrong, have been replaced by how someone feels and secularism.

Today's liberals, feminists, abortionists, prochoice movement and children of these secularists are not learning what's right and wrong,but whether something feels right to them,then it is acceptable to them. This is a dangerous precedent to base human rights on because there are some people,such as Peter Singer, who feel that infanticide is right or that killing disabled,adults who are incapacitated,elderly and infirm are of less value than other human beings and can be aborted or euthanized. Therefore, basing our morals on how something feels is an easy way to discriminate and deny human rights to others. The inalienable right to life,liberty and the pursuit of happiness we are all entitled to in a free country should never be based on how someone feels. What is legal is not always right, as we have learned by the atrocities of slavery and segregation and the Holocaust. We must base our laws and morals on what is morally right and wrong and the compass for what is right and wrong should be based on common sense which respects basic human rights such as life and liberty,not on how someone feels about a situation.

You can read Dennis Prager's article here,Why Young Americans Can’t Think Morally to get his view on how secularism is replacing moral standards in society. In the end,if we are to become a better country and nation of true freedom with respect to all human rights, we would follow the Golden Rule, 'do unto others as you would have done unto you'...and religious or not,use common sense:don't steal, cheat, kill, disobey your parents, talk back, lie etc because you would not want to be mistreated and denied your basic human rights and dignity.

©2008-2011 Patricia Garza

A tale of two executions and why human rights must start in the womb!

2011-09-23T11:03:00.000-07:00

Image via WikipediaThe recent outrage at the execution of Troy Davis and this post from Religion at the Margin by David Hansen made me think more about the death penalty issue in America. I left a lengthy reply on his well written&insightful post and wanted to share it here. He did a great job linking the execution of two men Wednesday,Troy Davis and Lawrence Brewer,however there was not a large outcry against the death penalty in the case of Lawrence Brewer in Texas. Why?

The truth of the matter is the liberals want to turn the execution of Troy Davis into a racial issue. His lawyer, Thomas Ruffin, called it a legal lynching, implying race had something to do with the verdict. The truth is the liberals don't care about all human life unless it is to further their agenda,they will fight to the death to keep abortion legal, yet defend the rights of a convicted killer,in this case a black man, despite a justice system with an appeals process&jury who found Troy Davis guilty. It is obvious Brewer did the heinous crime he committed,however ballistic evidence did lead investigators to Troy Davis's gun. No new evidence was given in appeals nor to the [Supereme Court of the US] SCOTUS so they had to keep the verdict given by the jury 22yrs ago. Many were upset with the Casey Anthony verdict, yet she walks free while her daughter's 'killer' is unknown. Our judicial system allowed her to go free&we must accept the verdict just as we must accept the verdict in the case of Troy Davis and Lawrence Brewer.

Would I be willing to do away with the death penalty?Yes, life without parole could be the option,but is that really better for someone who may/may not be guilty? Where do we draw the line on doubt? Also is it worth spending more money on prisons&keeping someone alive in prison while we have people starving in the world and our economy is in peril? I do believe the obvious cases such as Brewer could&should be given the death penalty,but in those less obvious cases perhaps a choice could be given to the convict or victims family to choose the death penalty or life in prison. Personally, I think spending life in prison might be worse because you have no freedom&rights and you must live with the guilt of knowing you committed a heinous crime or prolong suffering if innocent. Yet the victims, like the unborn, don't get a choice&their families live each day without their father, brother, son, friend,etc.

In the end,I believe until we become a culture of life and all life is respected from womb to tomb abortion, murder, suicide,euthanasia and the death penalty will continue to exist.

Wow, I didn't mean to carry on so long,but feel strongly about this case&this issue. Please share your thoughts in the comments. Below is some of the article I responded to at Religion at the Margins:

Two men were executed last night by the state.
And no one said a word about one of them.
Because it wasn’t about Troy Davis. Because witnesses didn’t recant. Because the evidence was clear. Because hundreds of thousands worldwide didn’t sign a petition for him.
Because it was about a white supremacist.
There is tragic irony to last night’s events. Even as the throngs of activists wept, celebrated, sang and prayed when word came that the execution of Troy Davis in a Georgia prison was delayed, though only for only a few hours, by no less than the U.S. Supreme Court, the state of Texas was busy plunging a poisoned needle into the body of Lawrence Russell Brewer.

There were no last minute heroics, desperate filings or social media frenzy.
There were no hashtags, blocked or otherwise.No one wearing “I Am Lawrence Brewer” T-shirts.
While Davis was surrounded by a great cloud of witnesses, Brewer died alone, his parents and his victim’s relatives watching from a nearby room.
He had no final words in death, only a single tear.Outside his prison, there were no massive vigils, no sea of placards and no throngs chanting slogans about the injustice of the death penalty in the case of a racist who so brutally killed a man because of skin color.
And let’s be honest: a great many of the people who want Troy Davis’ life spared might very well believe the state was right to kill Lawrence Brewer. Many of those people who were appalled that the audience cheered at the number of executions committed by the state of Texas might deep down harbor suspicions that of the 234 executions, Texas might have gotten this one as right. As right as Georgia got the Davis case wrong.
After all, Davis’ case, unlike Brewer’s, seems riddled with ambiguities, despite what the prosecutor might say. After all, Davis might very well have been innocent. And it is easy to defend a potentially innocent man against the death penalty. It is far more difficult to defend a clearly guilty man who dragged a man’s body from the bumper of a truck.

Obama's Economy is becoming a Depression as Child Abuse&Abortions Rise #tcot #parents #prolife

2011-09-19T00:40:00.000-07:00

I wondered how much the increase in child abuse is to blame on the current economy,especially since more men are unemployed and more women may be left working two jobs or longer hours to get by? After doing a little research, it seems to me that Obama's economic recovery is not helping anyone especially the least of the victims, the innocent &helpless children. The Governments job is to protect from harm and death;yet the increase in spending,regulations and mandates like the health care reform law are making the unemployment rate grow;which is leading to more child abuse, but it also seems an increase in murder-suicides and abortions.

Guttmacher Institute, which periodically surveys U.S. abortion providers, reports that there were 1.21 million abortions in 2008 and a rate of 19.6 abortions per 1,000 women aged 15-44.

In result, the number of abortions are on the rise as a result of the economic downturn as well, since people want to take the easy way out by ending their lives or someone else like an unplanned child or even a much wanted child is becoming the victim of child abuse,abortion or murder-suicide. In sum,the failed policies of the Obama administration are leading to not only an economic depression but a social depression. Obama has become the President of death,despair and the downgrade of America.

(Reuters Health) - As the U.S. economy began to tank, the number of abused kids landing in the hospital with severe brain injuries spiked, a new study shows.
Anecdotes linking child abuse to the recession have surfaced before, but there had been no hard data to back the connection until now.
Image via Wikipedia
"It's definitely disturbing," said Elizabeth Gershoff, a psychologist who studies parenting, but was not involved in the study.
Although there is no proof that financial hardship itself is causing the uptick in abuse, earlier research has tied parental stress to child maltreatment.
"Living in poverty for parents can be very stressful," Gershoff, of the University of Texas at Austin, told Reuters Health. "And that in turn leads to harsher parenting."
The new findings, released on Monday in the journal Pediatrics, are based on hospital data on kids under five from Kentucky, Ohio, Pennsylvania and Washington.
From 2004 to 2009, there were 422 children diagnosed with what doctors call "abusive head trauma." The majority ended up in the intensive care unit, and 16 percent died of their injuries.
The children's average age was nine months.
In the three years leading up to the crash in December 2007, the rate of abusive head injuries was 8.9 per year per 100,000 kids. After the crash, the number jumped to 14.7 per 100,000.
"If what we are seeing is even close to generalizable, that is a lot of excess children," said Dr. Rachel P. Berger, a child abuse expert at Children's Hospital of Pittsburgh who co-authored the study.
She said she noticed a sharp uptick in the number of children who came to her hospital with banged-up heads in 2008. From 17 cases per year, it suddenly jumped to 37 in 2008, and 11 of those kids died -- more than had been killed after accidental head traumas.
"At any given time there was virtually always a baby in our ICU," Berger told Reuters Health.
In the U.S., some 1,800 toddlers come to the hospital with abusive head trauma every year, corresponding to about one in 3,300. But that statistic is certain to leave out many cases.
"Most people really think it is a tremendous underestimate," Berger said.
Contrary to the new results, federal data show a decline in child abuse in 2008. But Berger said those numbers have many limitations, such as a very restrictive definition of abuse.

Image via Wikipedia
While the actual reason for the increase in abuse is not certain;the cause appears to be linked to young parents,often males who are left frustrated with a crying infant. According to the study:Gershoff said the young age of the victims suggests crying might have caused the abuse. If a caretaker shakes a baby violently to make him or her stop crying, that may lead to "shaken baby syndrome," in which the brain bumps up against the skull it causes brain damage and bleeding.
She said babies only cry for five reasons: Because they are hungry, tired, bored, in pain or need a fresh diaper. If none of that helps, Gershoff added, it's alright to leave the crib as long as the baby is safe.
"Just taking a break from that sound, walk out and then come back when you have calmed down," she advised.

However, according to The Marietta Daily Journal,additional research and census data, it looks like the recession is the reason for the increase in child abuse:

Children studied were younger than 5, and most were infants. Most suffered brain damage and 69 died, though the death rate didn’t rise during the recession.
Unemployment rates in the 74 counties rose during the five-year study. The proportion of children on Medicaid in those counties also increased, from 77 percent before the recession to 83 percent. However, insurance and family employment information were not reported for the abused children in the study.
Combine the stress of raising a young child with wage cuts or lost jobs and you get “a sort of toxic brew in terms of thinking about possible physical violence,” said Mark Rank, a social welfare professor at Washington University in St. Louis. He said the study echoes sociological research linking violence with declines in economic well-being.
Along with U.S. Census data released last week indicating that a record 46 million Americans are poor, the study shows that “as poverty goes up and economic stagnation continues ... there are really human costs involved,” Rank said.

How to talk to kids about 9/11 #parents #kids #tcot #NeverForget #prolife

2011-09-11T10:00:00.000-07:00

It's been ten years since the US was attacked by Saudi Arabian suicide bombers who hijacked two commercial airliners and crashed them into the World Trade Center in NYC,and hijacked another plane which hit the Pentagon and a fourth plane, which was believed aimed at the Capitol building in DC or the White House, but instead was overpowered by alert&brave passengers who prevented the crash on DC. Thanks to those passengers Flight 93 crashed in a field in Shanksville,PA. Thanks to the bravery of those passengers, lead by Todd Beamer,known for his heroic chant, "Let's Roll", and several others a fourth tragedy was prevented from taking more innocent lives on the ground than those on the plane. Sadly, the loss of those 40 passengers was unavoidable, but it is immeasurable to know how many lives they saved. In the end nearly 3,000 men,women,children and at least one unborn child were killed and became victims of one of the most horrific attacks on our country since Pearl Harbor.

In Rememberence of those who sacrificed their lives and those who lost lives and their families:

Sadly, since that time America has been at war in the Middle East for the past ten years against the violent Islamist terrorists who despise our way of life,religion and freedoms. Many children have no idea about what happened, like mine who were born several years after September 2001, and parents are left to the schools or the media exposure to explain what happened. So far my kids are young and carefree enough to not let it concern them or create fear in them, but one day they will probably want to know more and want to understand why it happened and whether we are safe. At that time,I will do my best to be honest with them and tell them that because there are bad people in the world bad things happen and that the brave men and women in our military are working to keep them safe and protect us from harm by attacking the enemies where they live and that is why we are in a war in the Middle East. Of course the depth I will get into this discussion with them will depend on their questions,level of interest and understanding and as this child psychologist says: As kids see and hear accounts of the 9/11 attacks on the 10th anniversary, parents should encourage them to ask questions. The answers should be direct and simple, says child psychologist Richard Rende.

Parents should offer reassurance and protect children from details, both by keeping answers simple and by monitoring the media they are exposed to, adds Rende, an associate professor of psychiatry and human behavior at Brown University.

That means answering questions directly, without unnecessary detail, and monitoring their children’s media consumption in the days leading up to the anniversary [can help parents talk to their kids about 9/11].

In addition....

Don’t wait for your kids to approach you; let them know the lines of conversation are open.
Set aside a time to do this when you won’t be quickly interrupted.
Answer simply and directly. Less is more. Be honest without being graphic.
Listen to children and let their questions guide you. Don’t broach new subjects they haven’t asked about.
Be reassuring. Give them the confidence that they’re okay.
Monitor their exposure to media as best you can.
Be prepared for the conversation to continue after the anniversary.

How to talk to kids about 9-11 from Brown PAUR on Vimeo.

“The most important rule is to take any question very seriously and just deal with that question,” says Rende, who regularly blogs about research for Parents.com. “‘Less is more’ is a very good principle with kids. Let them direct you and don’t make assumptions about what they want to know. You can answer a question without going into detail,” he says. “You can try to be honest without being graphic.”

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As with any difficult or controversial topic,from abortion to terrorism,parents need to adjust their conversation on these topics to the emotional age and maturity of the child. Of course sheltering them and trying to hide the facts are not the way to deal with difficult topics;as parents we should always be honest and reassuring without being overly graphic or creating fear. How do you deal with this topic with your children and at what age did you start discussing it?

©2008-2011 Patricia Garza

Some moms go a little too far with what's cute...mom dresses 3yr old as a hooker!

2011-09-08T20:35:00.001-07:00

As if society isn't already over sexualizing our kids and trying to push pedophilia on our kids as normal...now we have

parents encouraging it as 'cute'?

Video - Breaking News Videos from CNN.com

#prolife #parents #kids Experts:Kids challenge gender identity earlier;is tolerance education indocrtrination?

2011-08-24T11:42:00.000-07:00

According to transgender speaker,Aidan Keyes and psychotherapists, kids are dealing with gender identity crisis at an earlier age. Gender identity crisis is described as a child or adult not feeling comfortable in the biological gender they are, who are actually transgender, males or females trapped in the body of the opposite gender. I find this skeptical if not another way the lesbian,gay community is trying to push the normalization of homosexuality through 'tolerance' education.

While I do not support bullying or hate speech in any way,I also do not believe in teaching our children to compromise principles which they are raised by and come naturally, such as the biological gender of their peers. Children should not have to second guess whether their male friends or female friends are boys or girls. This should be obvious based on social and biological norms. What children need to be taught is respect for all and the Golden Rule, "do unto others as you would have done unto you." That is what bullying education should be based on, not acceptance of homosexuality or gender identity issues, race, etc. Bottom line is that parents and schools should focus on respect towards others&personal responsibility. For some reason society has been for too long been focusing on diversity and tolerance and 'multiculturalism' to the point that our countries founding values and culture are becoming lost.

Transgender speaker Aidan Keyes, grew up as a girl and as an adult had a mastectomy and later married another women, despite not having a sex change operation.

At 19, Bonnie came out as a lesbian, thinking she'd finally figured it out. Living in Seattle at the time, she found a close-knit community of lesbians, fell in love and later, with her partner, had a daughter. As the nonbiological mother, she adopted the child.

Currently,Keyes visits schools teaching children about gender identity acceptance by telling them his story:

"When I was your age," he tells them, "I was a girl.
"Everybody saw me as a girl and I looked like a girl. But inside that's not how I felt. I felt I was a boy, so when I got older I worked with a doctor. We call that being transgender."

Lisa Love, health-education specialist with Seattle Public Schools, said the district is seeing more children in elementary schools struggling with gender identity.
And over the last decade or so, the parents of a growing number of these kids have sought guidance from Seattle Children's hospital, the associate director of psychiatry there said.
Experts say young children have always had these feelings, but only in recent years as society has become more accepting of gender differences have they felt more free to express them.[my emphasis]

Public- and private-school administrators and the parents of these kids want guidance navigating such sensitive terrain; they want to help children become comfortable calling a classmate by a new name, or know how and when to refer to another student as he or she...

between 20 and 30 percent of children who display persistent cross-gender preferences grow up to be transgender adults.

Most recently the story of five-year old Dyson Kilodavis made the headlines, in which his mom wrote a book about their families journey and acceptance of their son's desire to wear frilly clothes and girls jewelry.From King5.com in Seattle:

The Kilodavis family talks about how they came to accept and embrace their son, five year-old Dyson, who likes to dress up like a princess. Cheryl Kilodavis authored a book called "My Princess Boy" which Dyson's school now uses as an anti-bullying tool.

In this video it seems as though the psychiatrist is saying there is more than one way to be a boy and a girl&equating 'tom boy' behavior in girls to cross dressing in boys??

What do you think? Do you believe there are children who naturally grow up one gender and somehow mentally are wired to be another gender?

I can see kids role playing and adults doing such things as a joke or prank or for a costume party, but I just don't see it being a natural disorder and one we should encourage. I feel it is connected to the acceptance of homosexuality in the media and other places that children are exposed to this behavior. I feel it is more a behavioral issue rather than a biological condition. While some experts and parents claim redirection is not always successful in these cases, and that we should love and accept our children no matter how they turn out, this does not mean we should accept nor condone behavior that is unnatural and unacceptable morally.

©2008-2011 Patricia Garza

#parents #prolife #health New Respirator For Preemies Gets Funding with Hopes of Saving Thousands of Infant Lives Globally Each Year

2011-08-24T09:48:00.001-07:00

This is great news for premature babies and those with high risk pregnancies who find themselves having to deliver early. I'm glad to see that the Gates feel the need to help premature infants;it's too bad they also support abortion&population control programs around the world too.

Seattle Children's Research Institute Receives $2.3 million from Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation to complete development of affordable respiratory support device
SEATTLE, Aug. 16, 2011 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- Seattle Children's Research Institute today announced the receipt of a two-year, $2.3 million grant from the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation to complete prototype development of its new respiratory support device, called Seattle Children's Positive Airway Pressure (Sea-PAP.) Sea-PAP, designed to be an affordable and simple Bubble Continuous Positive Airway Pressure (B-CPAP) device, will provide breathing support to premature infants who suffer from respiratory distress. Upon completion, Sea-PAP will be significantly cheaper to produce, operate, and maintain than other ventilators and respiratory support devices.
Children's expects the affordability of Sea-PAP will lead to rapid adoption in the developing world and beyond. The simple design shrinks the cost to a fraction of the $30,000 price tag for conventional ventilators, making Sea-PAP and its life-saving therapy accessible to healthcare systems that lack the resources to purchase and operate complex, expensive equipment.
"The worldwide need for low-cost, safe, and easy to use respirator technology is clear. Many premature infants who require only basic assistance with their breathing die for a lack of a simple, affordable alternative to expensive ventilators," said Charles V. Smith, PhD, Director of the Center for Developmental Therapeutics at Seattle Children's Research Institute, and co-inventor of Sea-PAP. "Sea-PAP's low cost and ease of use will make it accessible to all."
More than four million infants worldwide die each year, and one million of those deaths are attributed to respiratory insufficiency, suffocation due to underdeveloped lungs. These deaths are largely attributed to the lack of respiratory support devices in resource-limited countries. Children's estimates that Sea-PAP could save the lives of many thousands of these babies each year, if broadly adopted.
"Cost of technology should not be the deciding factor for which life is saved. Sea-PAP will provide more communities, even in the most rural areas, with the tools to save premature infants with respiratory distress," said Thomas N. Hansen, MD, CEO at Children's and co-inventor of Sea-PAP. "If we could even make a dent of a few percentage points in infant mortality rates, the impact would be staggering."

Preterm birth is the 7th leading U.S.healthcare expenditure today, costing approximately $26 billion a year. A simple tool like Sea-PAP could also help address the financial burden that prematurity brings to healthcare.

Benefits of Simplified Technology and Other Key Differentiators
What differentiates Sea-PAP from most other respiratory support devices is that it is simpler to assemble and maintain, thus enabling a low cost of ownership. To build and operate Sea-PAP, only a small tool kit of supplies are needed, including a continuous air supply, a breathing circuit tube, a tube for the nose, water, and a competent human operator. The breathing and nose tubes can be used multiple times, if sterilized.

Sea-PAP works like conventional B-CPAP devices providing a continuous flow of air via tubes inserted in an infant's nostrils. Sea-PAP's key differentiator from other B-CPAP devices is that its breathing circuit tube is placed in water at a 135 degree slope, which creates fluctuations in the positive airway pressure. These fluctuations keep the lungs open, which lessens the work required from respiratory muscles, thus making it easier to breathe.
Respiratory muscle exhaustion is a major cause of failure in conventional B-CPAP therapy. These failures often necessitate the need for tracheal intubation, mechanical ventilation, and exposure of the infant to high concentrations of oxygen, which carry the risk of tissue damage, infection, and inflammation - all of which are major factors in the development of chronic lung disease. By reducing the work that an infant has to do to breathe, Sea-PAP will eliminate the need for tracheal intubation and mechanical ventilation in many infants.
"Removing the cost barriers of life saving respiratory support technology ensures more infants have a chance at a healthy life," said Gary Darmstadt, Director of Family Health at the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation. "We are excited for the completion of Sea-PAP, as we believe it will have a significant impact on reducing infant mortality rates worldwide."

Commercialization Timeline and Continued Development Plans
Children's expects to complete development of Sea-PAP in 2012, and for commercial distribution to begin in 2013.
Ongoing development will be led by Dr. Hansen, Dr. Smith, and C. Peter Richardson, PhD, (co-inventor), who have been working together on various respiratory care initiatives since the 1980s. Other collaborators on the project include: Robert M. DiBlasi, RRT-NPS, FAARC (co-inventor); Kathleen D. Bongiovanni, MIPH, MS; Christopher R. Howard, MBA; Jack Hildebrandt, PhD; and John Walton.
Sea-PAP can also work in conjunction with the Hansen Ventilator, a separate respiratory device prototype the Children's team is developing, named after Dr. Hansen. If used together, even more premature infants with respiratory distress could be saved.
"Sea-PAP by itself is the quickest and cheapest way we can save thousands of infants with respiratory distress," said Dr. Hansen. "If used in conjunction with the Hansen Ventilator, that number could increase substantially. We hope to have the combined offering in market later in this decade."
The Hansen Ventilator is being developed by the same team working on Sea-PAP. More on the Hansen Ventilator can be found at: http://seattlechildrens.org/healthcare-professionals/aar/2010/highlights/high-hopes-for-low-tech-ventilator/

About Seattle Children's Research Institute
At the forefront of pediatric medical research, Seattle Children's Research Institute is setting new standards in pediatric care and finding new cures for childhood diseases. Internationally recognized scientists and physicians at the Research Institute are advancing new discoveries in cancer, genetics, immunology, pathology, infectious disease, injury prevention and bioethics. With Seattle Children's Hospital and Seattle Children's Hospital Foundation, the Research Institute brings together the best minds in pediatric research to provide patients with the best care possible. Children's serves as the primary teaching, clinical and research site for the Department of Pediatrics at the University of Washington School of Medicine, which consistently ranks as one of the best pediatric departments in the country. For more information, visit http://www.seattlechildrens.org/research.
CONTACT:
Kathy Porada
206-987-4500
press@seattlechildrens.org
SOURCE Seattle Children's Hospital Research Institute

Source: PR Newswire

via Seattle Children's Invention Lands Major Funding with Hopes of Saving Thousands of Infant Lives Globally Each Year

©2008-2011 Patricia Garza

#parents #teens #prolife Study:Like girls,boys mature sexually at younger ages

2011-08-24T09:45:00.001-07:00

This is an interesting study I came across today. It discusses how the onset of male sexual maturity,like girls, occurs earlier since the mid 1700's and that the rise in testosterone and risk taking behaviors marks the point of sexual maturity and when the male voice changes. However, it must be noted, sexual maturity does not equate to emotional maturity.

So, based on this study, parents should become more involved in their teens sexual awareness and begin teaching them the "birds&bees"&self respect and control of ones emotions&body. Parents should encourage abstinence to prevent their hormonal urges from getting them into unsafe situations, such as premarital sex.

Girls have been known to reach sexual maturity at younger ages through the centuries, but what about their male counterparts?

Researcher Joshua Goldstein at the Max Planck Institute in Germany believes he found a similar trend among maturing boys. In fact, he puts forth that males may be influenced by the same environmental factors that shape the onset of menstruation in girls, according to an analysis published in the journal PLoS ONE.

Finding trends among girls is easy since there's a starting point to sexual maturity: menarche, or when a young woman experiences her first menstrual cycle. For teen boys, however, a similar starting point isn't as clear.

Universally, male adolescents have experienced a rise of mortality toward the end of their teen years -- a trend known as the "accident hump." Whether it's from disease, violence or mere accident, more male adolescents die during late adolescence than their female peers. Even more, this peak also matches the time when male teens produce the most testosterone. The idea is that more testosterone equates to more risk-taking and potentially violent behaviors, which in some instances result in accidental deaths.
But since the mid-18th century, the accident hump has curiously occurred earlier and earlier in male adolescence. As such, an earlier accident hump may reflect a change in testosterone, and thus, when males are becoming sexually mature.

Sure, the association between mortality and hormones seems indirect, and Goldstein acknowledges this in his paper. But it's the other relationship -- between teens' environment and biology -- that's more direct and may account for the changes.

By looking at 10-year periods of data from the Human Mortality Database from five European countries, Goldstein found the age at which males sexually mature to decrease by 2.4 months per decade between the mid-1700s and 1900s. Though other indicators of maturity, including height, don't necessarily support maturing earlier, one study on male voice changes reveals the onset of sexual maturity to occur earlier throughout the decades.

Most recently, the drop in age for sexual maturity seems to have plateaued. Instead, Goldstein's work reinforces the idea that the decrease occurred in the first place.

So why wouldn't other evolutionary factors select against risk-taking behaviors associated with the accident hump?
Goldstein speculates that risk-taking can reflect dominance, which may bolster males' mating status in certain primate species (think baboons).

Still, there's reason to be cautious about the findings. For one, the data might be affected by how they were collected. The results also rely on a variety of associations, and other factors that don't show up in historical demographic data might be at play. The current project also focused on more developed European countries, and the same trends might not be apparent in other parts of the world.

But ultimately, the results leave a gap between sexual maturity and emotional maturity in both sexes, Goldstein says in a press release. Parents may be encouraged to be more involved in their teens' lives in order to guide them against having unprotected or risky sex.

Source: Discovery News.

Related:

NEWS: Americans Less Likely to Practice Safe Sex with Age
BLOG: First-Time Sex Helps Male Self-Image, Hurts Female
BLOG: Wikipedia Has Gender Bias
©2008-2011 Patricia Garza

New Study:Regularly snacking on biscuits, cakes or buns can significantly increase a woman's chances of developing womb cancer #prolife #parents #kids

2011-08-22T09:50:00.000-07:00

This is more proof that once pregnant a woman's habits,lifestyle and choices affect the life and well being of her offspring in utero and her own health and well being. Therefore, if you become pregnant you are responsible for not only your health and well being, but those of the prenatal human in your womb.

The Daily Mail 2011-08-22: The ten-year study looked at the eating habits of 60,000 women Regularly snacking on biscuits, cakes or buns can significantly increase a woman's chances of developing womb cancer, a new study shows. Women who treated themselves two to three times a week were 33 per cent more likely to suffer the disease. Among those eating them more than three times a week, the risk of falling ill with a tumour jumped by 42 per cent. The findings come from a ten-year study in Sweden which looked at the eating habits of more than 60,000 women. Scientists wanted to investigate links between sugary diets and the development of... more »

Kids Loungerie promotes pedophilia&exploits children #parents #kids #teens #prolife #tcot

2011-08-17T14:00:00.001-07:00

Credit: Jours Apres Lunes

When will the adults grow up and stop trying to sexualize our children before they are old enough to drive and get a job? Is this part of the plan to normalize pedophilia?? The liberals have already worked to normalize homosexuality&made abortion acceptable now this??

A French clothing designer is under fire for developing a new line that is basically lingerie for children — except they’re calling the skimpy, beribboned collection “loungerie” instead.

Jours Apres Lunes (“Days After Moons”) bills itself as “the first designer brand dedicated to loungerie for children and teenagers, comprised of loungewear and lingerie to be worn over and under, inside and outside.”

Lingerie designer Sophie Morin said on her website her goal was to use adult lingerie trends to create underwear for toddlers and adolescents. It’s her “fille” line, aimed at 4- to 12-year-olds, that is attracting the most attention — and the photographs that go along with it.

A photo advertising a new French line of "loungerie" for children. (Credit: Jours Apres Lunes)

Outfitted in triangle bras, ruffled panties and teased hair, little girls model the collection on the designer’s website, in one photo appearing to frolic on a bed, with one girl pulling at another one’s hair. In another photo, a girl stretches out on a chair, sunglasses covering half her face while her tied-off top exposes almost her entire midsection.

Cooler months raise sperm quality, chance of producing baby increase #parents #prolife #fertility #prochoice

2011-08-07T12:46:00.001-07:00

To those seeking to have better chances at conceiving a child, researchers say the winter&fall months are best. Warmer weather, along with sitting for long periods, bike riding often&increasing the warmth of the scrotum can cause male fertility problems. More motile&stronger sperm are produced in the cooler months and when men wear lose fitting pants&don't sit for long periods of time.

Of course pregnancy can occur year round, but for those with fertility problems this is another way to increase your chances at conception and having a child. So if you don't want kids then limit your chances by abstaining or waiting for warmer months and of course using protection at all times.

However, remember the risk of pregnancy is always there even with contraceptives. So remember, when you choose to have sex be ready for the natural results that could lead to pregnancy and get ready to be a new mom or dad. And as a prolife advocate, if you conceive don't kill your offspring, love them whether they are wanted or not, otherwise let someone else love them and adopt them.

In the spring, there begins a decline in the concentration of sperm in the semen as well as their ability to impregnate ova, Soroka University Medical Center researchers find.

Couples who have fertility problems due to low-quality sperm would be well advised to plan their calendars: Soroka University Medical Center researchers have found that the quality of semen – both the amount of sperm and their motility – is better in the winter and the fall than in the spring or summer.

Dr. Eliahu Levitas, a senior physician in the hospital’s in-vitro fertilization unit, reported to a recent meeting of the Israel Society for Fertility Research about his statistical study of 6,453 semen samples collected at Soroka.

He found that in the spring, there begins a decline in the concentration of sperm in the semen as well as their ability to impregnate ova. The decline continues through the summer and continues into the autumn months.

Male #circumcision may cut HPV-linked penile precancerous lesions #prolife #i2 #prochoice #parents #health

2011-07-29T13:56:00.000-07:00

To all the prochoice,abortion activists out there who oppose male circumcision you might want to stop trying to tell people not to circumcise their sons, especially because you are ok with killing and dismembering living human beings in the womb before birth. Regardless whether you believe they feel pain or not, they are still living human beings and abortion kills not heals. Health care should heal not kill people.

In addition, male circumcision does not kill anyone, unless by rare chance done incorrectly, but is often a religious sacrament among Jewish&Muslim families and in many boys it is done for preventive health reasons. This latest study from the University Of North Carolina,published in the International Journal of Cancer, proves male circumcision has been found to prevent HPV, human papillomavirus in men, thus preventing spread to women.

HPV can lead to cervical cancer in women, infertility and cancers of the penis in men.

In Kenyan men, circumcision is associated with a lower prevalence of human papillomavirus-associated precancerous lesions of the penis, a University of North Carolina-led international study has shown.

Human papillomavirus - HPV - is a sexually transmitted virus that plays an important role in genital cancers in men and women, including cancers of the penis and cervix.

"Our data are the first to show that male circumcision may reduce HPV-associated penile precancerous lesions. This represents an additional public health benefit of male circumcision," said Jennifer Smith, senior author.

"The percentage of men with HPV-associated precancerous penile lesions was substantially higher among those who were not circumcised - 26 percent- compared to those who were circumcised - .7 percent," explained Smith, a associate professor of epidemiology in the UNC Gillings School of Global Public Health and a member of UNC Lineberger Comprehensive Cancer Center.

"Interventions that reduce HPV-associated penile lesions could be important to both men and women, because such lesions may increase HPV transmission from men to their sexual partners.

"Circumcision may also provide a useful intervention to prevent HPV-associated penile lesions and ultimately invasive cervical cancers in less developed countries, since prophylactic HPV vaccines may not be readily available to men, and current HPV vaccines do not include protection against all high-risk HPV types," added Smith.

The study has been published in the International Journal of Cancer. (ANI)

Clinical trial in UK hopes to use adult stem cell treatment for MS #prolife #health #prochoice #tcot

2011-07-29T13:44:00.000-07:00

Again, adult stem cell research advances in medicine. While the prochoice, abortion movement continues to support embryonic stem cell research, which has resulted in zero medical cures, adult stem cell research may cure MS,multiple-sclerosis, which affects three million worldwide.

Adult stem cells have also been found to help heart patients to HIV patients. It's time to end the destruction of human embryos, which are living human beings before implantation via methods such as IVF, and it's time to focus research and funding on adult stem cell research. In addition, there are other ways of getting embryonic stem cells without destroying human embryos, such as stem cell cord banking.

A major UK-based clinical trial is set to investigate whether stem cells can be safely used to treat multiple sclerosis (MS).

The trial will involved 150 patients from across Europe and will be launched later in the year, according to Dr Paolo Muraro from Imperial College London, who wants to look deeper into evidence that suggests MS can be treated with stem cells.

“There is very strong pre-clinical evidence that stem cells might be an effective treatment,” he told the BBC.

Stem cells will be collected from the bone marrow of patients and grown in a laboratory. They will then be reinjected and researchers hope they will make their way to the brain and repair the damage done by multiple sclerosis.

There is no clinically-proven stem cell treatment for MS in the United Kingdom, but many patients with MS travel overseas to have treatment done that claims to be long-term stem cell cures.

Read More

©2008-2011 Patricia Garza

Are the Unborn Human Beings? Science, Medicine&Common Sense Says Yes!! #prolife #prochoice #tcot #parents #teens

2011-07-17T20:18:00.000-07:00

Many abortion doctors and prochoice advocates admit, abortion kills a human being. Yet, many prochoice advocates continue to deny this scientific and medical fact in order to defend their 'right' to kill the preborn. This video is a great summary of the medical, scientific and moral reasoning why abortion is undeniably wrong and kills a preborn human being. Abortion denies the "personhood"[humanity] of an individual living human being by denying them of human rights. As humans, we all have the inalienable right to life and to be born, if we were not given that right none of us would have the right to exist. Despite this, the proabortion movement advocates the woman's rights trumps the preborns individual human rights. However, a mother/woman wouldn't have those rights without the right to live and be born first.

Pure logic and common sense, as explained in this video by a 15yr old, clearly shows the abortion debate is lost because it is discrimination against another simply because of the preborn humans size,level of development, environment/location and dependency on the mother. The acronym for this analysis is SLED, according to author Steven Schwarz: size, level of development, environment and dependency.

Finally, prochoice advocates continue to say preborn are less human or "potential humans" because they are more dependent. This is a fallacy and a slippery slope to take to discern who has a right to live and who doesn't. All newborns are dependent on another to take care of them, support them and give them a home; does this also give the parent/guardian a right to kill them because of their level of dependency and because they live in their property?

From conception to birth our bodies are changing and developing; each stage of a human life from zygote to embryo to fetus are all stages of development. None of these stages makes the preborn less human or more human. If we are human, by species, we can only become more developed humans as we grow and develop. From birth to adulthood we continue to develop and grow as well, by developing and growing we are not more or less human but simply more developed.

The problem with the prochoice mindset is that it is illogical and discriminates by using the size,level of function/development, environment/location and dependency as an excuse to kill a living human being before birth. The prochoice advocates defend their right to kill based on level of function and not the fact that we are all human beings from conception to natural death regardless of our level of ability. Therefore,no mother/person should have the right to kill their child, born or preborn, simply because the child is dependent on them or because the child is less developed. The bottom line is: denying personhood is denying human rights. Thus, the choice to abort kills a living human being, another person, just less developed.

Still not sure when human life begins and whether the unborn are human beings?? Watch this video:

US:Two Million Children At Risk of Being Taken Away From Their Parents? #parents #kids #health #prolife #tcot

2011-07-14T11:50:00.000-07:00

This is latest big government intervention on the horizon. Though I highly doubt it will become legal in the case of two million morbidly obese children. I think the government needs to give parents more credit and just raise awareness of the health risks and dangers of being morbidly obese. The child's pediatrician should have these children on special diets and instruct the parents as well as to what a healthy diet and weight for their child is.

It is not the job of the government to take children away from their homes and families, dividing families and causing emotional trauma to children, in order to make sure their children are eating a proper diet. The trauma of being separated could become worse for the child than the actual solution to the weight problem, as has occurred in such cases already. Not to mention, there is a need for more foster families to care for children who are in far more imminent danger from abuse,&death.

CDC:2009 State Prevalence Among
Low-Income Children Aged 2 to 4 Years

While I believe government intervention is needed to protect children from imminent harm,such as physical,sexual abuse&neglect, this is not necessarily a case of neglect or abuse,but perhaps lack of parental guidance,supervision or education and awareness,and could also be genetic. Some children are prone to weight problems, diabetes and other conditions because of genetic predispositions. You can't say because your child is 100 pounds overweight we are going to take them away from you. This is a dangerous precedent to take, because who's to say later the government won't say, your child is failing in school so we are going to remove them from your care and make sure they are getting proper tutoring and supervision.

The New American sums up the case of government intervention below, as reported in the Journal of the American Medical Association:

An article in the most recent edition of the prestigious Journal of the American Medical Association (JAMA) suggests that as many as two million children who are "morbidly obese" should be put on a diet by government and removed from their parents and families if they don't show progress.
A morbidly obese person is someone who's body mass index (BMI) is 40 or higher, generally someone who is 100 pounds or more overweight. According to the July 13 USA Today, and the JAMA article, "Roughly 2 million U.S. children are extremely obese. Most are not in imminent danger, Ludwig said. But some have obesity-related conditions such as Type 2 diabetes, breathing difficulties and liver problems that could kill them by age 30."
USA Today added, "Ludwig said he started thinking about the issue after a 90-pound 3-year-old girl came to his obesity clinic several years ago. Her parents had physical disabilities, little money and difficulty controlling her weight. Last year, at age 12, she weighed 400 pounds and had developed diabetes, cholesterol problems, high blood pressure and sleep apnea." But Ludwig has apparently never heard of the legal adage that "hard cases make bad law."
David Ludwig of Boston Children's Hospital, one of the two authors of the JAMA article, is quick to say that society itself should be restructured — in addition to the family — in order to combat childhood obesity. "The point isn’t to blame the parents, but rather to act in the child’s best interest and get them help that for whatever reason their parents can’t provide,” Ludwig told the Children's Hospital blog. “It’s ironic that we would blame parents for their child’s obesity when we tolerate as a society policies that directly promote obesity, like food ads aimed at young people, atrocious-quality school lunches, cutbacks in school budgets to support regular physical education. There’s plenty of blame to spread around.”
Ludwig and his co-author Lindsey Murtagh of the Harvard School of Public Health acknowledge their proposals are going to be controversial. "State intervention would clearly not be desirable or practical, and probably not be legally justifiable, for most of the approximately 2 million children in the United States with a BMI at or beyond the 99th percentile," the two wrote.
Indeed, the legal hurdles are daunting. The traditional standard for removing a child from his or her parents has been only to prevent permanent "imminent and irreparable harm to the child." Despite the extreme example that inspired Ludwig, most obese children have little damage that is irreparable to them and little damage that is imminent. Moreover, even imminent harm to a child alone is not enough to necessitate taking a child away from his parents. In a 2004 New York state custody case, the state's highest court unanimously ruled that "the court must specifically consider whether imminent risk to the child might be eliminated by other means" before parental custody can be removed.
This standard of presumption on behalf of parents is under assault, however. "It’s a controversial stance, but not one without precedent," the Boston Children's Hospital blog noted. "To date seven states have seen legal cases where the over-nourishment of a minor ended in state intervention."
And while nobody wants children to grow up obese and with health problems, the alternative is almost certainly worse. ABC-TV covered the Ludwig story and found that in one case placement in foster care did not cure the weight issue, but parental separation had traumatized the child.

Additional steps are being enforced already to reduce children's weight by limiting what they eat in school and the government dictating what choices kids have under Michelle Obama's platform. Some companies propose curbing junk food ads for kid s , while states like CA are banning kids meals at fast food restaurants and other restaurants are changing their kids menus to offer more healthy selections. While this may limit people's choices;it only takes away freedom of choice and could cause children to eat less because they aren't eating what they want. However, this could also lead to malnutrition problems as well,because while taking away 'junk food' choices and chocolate milk might seem like a good decision, it could also hinder kids choices and willingness to eat a full meal. The bottom line is that parents need to be educated on what a healthy diet is,practice eating healthy,stay active themselves and to limit junk food in the home. This is what we strive to do with our sons, who are thankfully very active and healthy.

Source:New American

©2008-2011 Patricia Garza