~*My fur baby*~

This is my LiLo baby...isn't she adorable?

The Hidden Cost

The hidden cost to crime takes into consideration the ripple effects on the crime itself. In my case, my rape has affected not only me, but my children, my boyfriend, my parents, my siblings and my friends.

Just in my case alone, following the rape, I dropped out of school for 2 terms, was unable to care for myself much less my kids, and other responsibilities. My diabetes took dangerous levels and I nearly died from it. In one instance, my boyfriend found me at a gas station in my vehicle with the engine running and I was slumped over the wheel. Health care for me rose significantly. I couldn’t eat (not a good thing when you are diabetic), I still can’t sleep, I have difficulty with concentration, anger management is loosely controlled with medication, my anxiety is through the roof and I physically attack people in my sleep if they try to wake me. I lost all of my material things. I had an entire house fully furnished that was taken from me, forcing me to start over.

My children have suffered insurmountable affects from the rape. The abandonment of their father to prison, the loss of emotional care and support from me, their mother as I numbly exist from one day to the next. I am not able to work at a traditional job, so I work in the truck with my boyfriend. That helps make money, but physically takes me away from my children when they need me the most. However, I am still in recovery myself and not able to provide full time care for them yet. Last school year, my children suffered academically as well. My middle child in particular was understandably full of rage. Although an exceptionally bright child, she absolutely refused to follow directions. As she has received unconditional love from my parents who are caring for my children at the present time, and a stable environment, my daughter is slowly making significant progress. During the past few months, I have been able to redirect my attention back to my children and their needs. I am careful to make contact with each of them every day, and when we are home, we spend 100% of the time together often taking the kids out of school during those days. (Thankfully, the school is small and know the situation and encourage us to do this.) My middle child has always been particularly affected by the domestic abuse in the home. She would never give hugs or kisses and refused to take them. My parents and I never forced her, but we kept telling her we want to show our love to her. Each time I went home, I encouraged all of my kids to talk about what had happened and gave them permission to be angry. I felt this was important to let them know that this was a crime against all of us as a family and that their feelings mattered and needed to be expressed. I went home for Thanksgiving and she came flying up to me and threw her arms around me, kissed me on the cheek and said “I love you Mama!” I was so shocked, I just looked at her. She said “Mama, I give hugs and kisses now.” I asked her, “Are you not angry anymore?” She said “No, I am not angry any more.” She has become a model student in school. She controls her temper much better than ever before. This wonderful memory now replaces the last most vivid one that involved her. A few weeks after the incident, I was tucking her in bed and she said to me “Mama, how come my ears don’t work?” She had been the only one that hadn’t woken up the night I was raped. I asked her why she thought they don’t work and she said “because they didn’t wake me up when Daddy was hurting you and you needed my help.” Although she has made progress, I ponder as to what effects this will have on her as an adult. How will this affect her ability to have relationships of her own? This is a hidden cost of this crime that hasn’t manifested itself.

My boyfriend, who had only been dating me for a month prior to my rape, has taken on the responsibility of caring and providing for us all. He has changed in his demeanor significantly having gone through all of the rage with me, the trial process and court hearings on custody of the children. He has stepped into the “father” role with the children; although he assures the kids that they do not need to call him dad. They can if they want to, but they do not have to. He has had completely redesign his entire life to care for us.

My parents have had their lives turned upside down with this tragedy. My mother had to quit her job to stay home and care for the kids, one of whom has learning disabilities and is home schooled. Three children is a lot to take on and with the problems it is increased ten – fold. My parents have had to put off the “golden years” of their lives, with all of their children now grown and start over. My dad works overtime to make ends meet to provide for the children. My mother had heart problems during the court proceedings causing her to need to be hospitalized.

The financial aspect of my boyfriend’s, parents as well as my own life is unimaginable. Hidden costs to crime don’t just count the dollars. They count the scars, the wounds, the visible and non – visible alike. They count the emotional damage that becomes ingrained within one who has suffered that remains with them the rest of their lives. My children will undoubtedly experience trouble with relationships as they get older. My prayer for them is that we can help them now, to decrease that probability. The emotional and physical damage has begun to fade, but will never totally disappear. The financial damage will likely take years to overcome.

This synopsis is only from one crime affecting many people and considering the hidden costs to us. There are probably more that I am forgetting but I think these are the main ones.

~Bridget

Life in the truck

Some of you know that I work with my boyfriend who is a truck driver. I do all the administrative stuff - he drives. Sometimes he drives down the road, sometimes he drives me up a wall....ANYWAY!

We currently have a load on that we picked up yesterday in Georgia, and are delivering it in Simi Valley, CA on Monday. We shut down in Texas - which was over 600 miles in for yesterday alone. We (actually I) decided we should take I-10W and go through some places I had never been before.

The first place we went through was Mobile, AL; where my brother was born. I really wanted to get a postcard from there to send him so that he knew I had been there. I had Troy stop at a truck stop and told him to get some cards that said "Mobile" on them. He came back with one that has a building on it; it looks interesting as the building is quite old. I read the back of the card hoping that it gives some details of the building - thinking it must be someone famous' home or birthplace or something. I am a little horrified to read that it is actually the first jail in the city of Mobile built in 1822-1824! (Some of you may recall my brother has had significant trouble with the law in his life...) I decide to call my brother (to kind of warn him of what he will be getting) and told him about the card thinking he's gonna be pissed off. To my surprise he was like "that's cool!". Ok, all that worry for nuthin....

The next place we went through was New Orleans, LA. I had been there as a child over 15 years ago, but I really wanted to see it since Katrina happened. Previous to our getting to NO, I was amazed at the miles and miles and miles of dead trees. All along the coast line for as far as the eye could see. It sent a deep sense of sadness over me as I watched it fly by my window. Once we began to descend into NO, that sadness grew in intensity mixed with anger. It has been almost 2 1/2 years since Katrina and all of the houses are still in shambles. They are gutted out, the spray paint from the searchers for survivors is still on them. Windows are blown out and all of the destroyed belongings of the former residents' visible from the highway. 80% of the homes have campers or trailers parked in the driveways indicating the residents' fight to regain their property from the damage inflicted upon them. I was saddened that so many are still in those trailers and campers. After this long, more should be getting back on their feet, in my opinion. There is a strong sign of life speckled here and there with businesses showing huge signs of "NOW OPEN". One sign I saw that made me smile and think of the determination of these people was on the back of a tow truck. It read "FLOODED CARS TOWED FREE". As we traveled on the same bridge that I remember seeing thousands of people trapped on the days following the hurricane, I really felt anger that they have had to wait. They waited for days to be rescued. They waited for days to have the government come help them. Now they are waiting for their funding from the government to rebuild their lives. Troy made a comment that I mulled over for quite some time. "They should just tear down the entire city. With it being below sea level, they should just all leave. I know there's a history there, but they should not rebuild." After much thought about that statement, I decided I disagree with him. I think that NO should be rebuilt. This is the home of hundreds of thousands of people. This is their LIFE! I also felt that the government needs to get the troops out of Iraq and send them to rebuild OUR OWN PEOPLE and their homes and lives. What a sad, horrible situation that could be significantly better if some people would get their priorities right.

~My drool for today

Whew!

That's all I am gonna post today....let me know what you think. It is waaaaaaaaay past my bedtime!
~LiLo's Human

Final Essay

Decriminalizing Marijuana: Pass the Joint

By

B.D. Quimby

27 July 2007

The possession and sale of marijuana has been outlawed since 1937 in the United States and in over 100 countries world wide since 1961. What is the truth to those laws and is it really all that farfetched to believe they may be rescinded? Considering decriminalizing the use of marijuana, there are benefits: enhanced tax savings, reduction of the national deficit and significant diminishment of the problems of overcrowded jails and prisons.

What is marijuana, its history and the affects of smoking it? Marijuana is derivative of a plant that breeds wild all over the world. Tetrahydrocannabinol, the key active ingredient also known as THC provides psychoactive and medicinal affects to the user.

In the United States, Indians had been using marijuana’s medicinal and euphoric values for generations. Media attention came about as the cannabis came through the southern border of America with the Mexicans who were seeking jobs. Since pot was around for so long, the assumption of the media frenzy and hard-core anti-marijuana campaigns that followed were the surface of a deeper issue of disregard for the Mexicans that threatened life as it was known in that day and age. Prejudice still ran deep during that era of the early 20^th century. Radical alarmist Harry J. Anslinger, named Commissioner of the Federal Bureau of Narcotics headed by the Treasury Department of the United States was hell bent on controlling marijuana and devised the Uniform Narcotics Act. Anslinger used fear inducing claims against marijuana like: persons using will become murderers, heroin addicts, and sexual deviants, alter their personality, go insane, and die. Last but not least he also claimed communists were backing the support of its use to overthrow the US government. The result was a country immobilized by fear demanding the Government take immediate action. Thus, in 1937 the Marijuana Tax Act was born and signed into law by President Harry S. Truman with absolutely no public forum or research of any kind. The Tax Act required those who use, sell or grow weed to have a special tax stamp issued from the United States Treasury Department. Since no stamps were issued, there was no question as to the legality of marijuana. In 1951, the Boggs Act was signed into law by President Truman classifying marijuana as a federally prohibited controlled substance. The passage of the Narcotic Control Act in 1956 heightened the penalties for drug possession and distribution. Marijuana became illegal in more than 100 countries world wide in 1961 as Anslinger touted the recent passages of American legislature regarding marijuana at the United Nations in the Single Convention on Narcotic Drugs. Harry Jacob Anslinger retired from the Federal Bureau of Narcotics in 1963 and warned predecessor Henry Giordano that nearly insurmountable tasks lay ahead for the War on Marijuana. Not to be regarded lightly, Giordano initiated his own attack on the users of marijuana claming it would turn them into “unmotivated dysfunctional losers”. (Zeese) Newly inaugurated President Richard Nixon was determined to shut down the transport of marijuana in 1968 and launched Operation Intercept focusing attention on the southern border to Mexico. This effort flopped and after just three weeks it was disassembled. Embarrassed, but not giving up, the President then issued the command to police officers across America to ‘smoke out’ the pot by whatever means necessary. As arrests began to soar at an alarming rate, the American public again commanded the government do something about it. Hence, support on the Federal level for a reformation of the stiff penalties of the laws against marijuana, insisting they were not working brought forth a senate hearing regarding Marijuana Legislation. It was here, that Dr. Stanley Yolles, the Director of the National Institute of Mental Health affirmed the “removal of mandatory minimum penalties in all cases of drug abuse”. (NORML) In an effort to comply the Senate, Congress passed the Controlled Substance Act in 1970 diminishing punishment of the use of weed. Things took a turn for the worse when the US Supreme Court gave school officials the legal right to strip search students believed to be using drugs in 1980. Under the leadership of the duo President Ronald Reagan and Vice-President George H. W. Bush, William Bennet was named a “drug czar” in charge of federal drug fighting initiatives through the Office of National Drug Control Policy. In 1988, the Anti-Drug Abuse Act was passed significantly raising the penalties of drug use. According to then President Bush, “Drug trafficking should be grounds for the death penalty”. (Zeese)

Pot smokers have long cited a general relaxed feeling of happiness, intoxication, increased hunger and sleepiness when using. It does not negatively impact one’s health any worse than cigarettes. In fact, it has some health benefits unlike smoking cigarettes but they are legal. Smoking marijuana does not lead to bigger and better drugs. Users of marijuana do not typically use other drugs, although other drug users do typically use marijuana. There are confirmed benefits of marijuana including: the use as an analgetic, an anticonvulsive, a sedative, a hypnotic, an anti-rheumatic, an anti-diarrheal, an antibiotic, an antipyretic and an appetite promoter. Cannabis is effective treatment for neurological disorders, effects on the eyes primarily for glaucoma, a bronchodilator and anti-nausea agent in cancer therapy. (Mechoulam) Finally, our United States Drug Enforcement Administration has acknowledged that the active ingredient in marijuana, THC has medicinal value and that the legal synthetic version is actually quite dangerous. (Zeese) As the usage of marijuana began to become a common place activity all across America, in 1967 the Federal Government ordered scientific testing be done to determine it’s affects on users. Dr. Leo B Hollister, Assoc Chief of Staff Palo Alto Veterans Hospital, issued a statement saying that smoking pot made people “happy, intoxicated, and sleepy; something that pot smokers had been saying all along.” (Zeese) Social acceptance of marijuana and its positive affects are known, but most of the general public today dispels the information due in large to the fear-invoking baseless claims set forth by our own government.

Absolutely each and every claim made by the government on marijuana use has been dismissed by their own federally sponsored studies. It has not increased crime, it does not compel people to kill or become sadists. It is clear that by the preponderance of the governments own research and expenditures that marijuana is not dangerous, has health benefits and that waging a war against it is a complete waste of resources better used else where. If America were to end the prohibition, we would clearly see a better economy, money spent on issues that need immediate attention and increase the value of our prison conditions and the rehabilitative efforts therein.

During the Clinton Administration, 3 million people were arrested for marijuana use alone. By 2002 those numbers increased to 5 million. (FBI UCR 1993-2000) Sixty thousand individuals are behind bars for marijuana offenses at a cost to taxpayers of $1.2 billion per year. (The Federation of American Scientists' Drug Policy) Taxpayers annually spend between $7.5 billion and $10 billion arresting and prosecuting individuals for marijuana violations. (NORML)

In 1972, the Chairman of the National Commission on Marijuana and Drug Abuse, Raymond P Shafer recommended to then President Nixon he ought to decriminalize pot because studies were showing it did not enhance crime. Nixon refused and created the Drug Enforcement Administration instead. This also marks the year that Ann Arbor Michigan instituted a city ordinance reducing smoking and possession of marijuana to a minor offense. The year following Oregon became the first US state to completely decriminalize pot under the direction of then Governor Tom McCall who passed the Oregon Decriminalization Bill. Four years afterwards, studies showed no increase in marijuana use and a significant savings on tax money otherwise budget for police enforcement of drug control. At this juncture, 10 more states had also decriminalized marijuana: California, Hawaii, Colorado, Nebraska, Mississippi, Ohio, South Carolina, New York and Maine. In 1976, President Jimmy Carter was all in favor of decriminalizing cannabis until Dr. Peter Bourne, Carter’s Chief Drug Policy Advisor was caught red-handed sniffing cocaine; dubbed by the media as the Quaalude Affair ending any hopes of national reform. (Zeese)

The War on Marijuana officially began in 1937 and through 1947 cost $220 million. Between the years of 1948-1963 the War on Marijuana cost $1.5 billion. Anti-marijuana efforts on behalf of the government cost $9 billion dollars between 1964 and 1969. Seventy-six billion dollars were spent on drug enforcement between 1970 and 1977. Federal expenses on the War on Drugs was a monstrous $214.7 billion from 1980-1998. The total amount of monies spent on waging the war against marijuana from 1937-1998 was in excess of $301.2 billion, $220 million. (NORML)

Since the sales of drugs is a $57 billion industry, add that together and think of what our country’s economy would look like with $360 billion (or more) in Federal money. Education and healthcare needs would be a non issue. Couple that with the fact that 400,000 people would not be wasting space in our prisons, leaving more than ample room for the truly publicly dangerous offenders such as murderers, rapists and child molesters. (NORML)

Almost 90 percent of these arrests are for possession only. (FBI UCR 1990-2000) Police arrest more Americans per year on marijuana charges than the total number of arrestees for all violent crimes combined, including murder, rape, robbery and aggravated assault. (FBI UCR 2001)

With all of this evidence, why are we still allowing this to continue? We need to prioritize our rationale for dispelling marijuana, learn what it really is, and reap the benefits it has to offer. This is a huge stumbling block within our society and we could grow and prosper immensely if we were to abolish these laws.

Works Cited

Abu Usaybia, Uyunu al-Anba fi Tabaquat al-Atibba,

Berkeley: University of California Press, 1965.

"Plastic Cement: The Ten Cent Hallucinogen". International Journal of the Addictions

2: 271-272 Fall 1967.

Raphel Mechoulam, Cannaboids as Therapeutic Agents, CRC Press, Inc., 1986

Kevin B Zeese, Drug Abuse: Opposing Viewpoints, Greenhaven Press, 1988

Federal Bureau of Investigation.

Uniform Crime Reports: Crime in the United States (1993-2000). Table: Arrest for Drug Abuse Violations. U.S. Department of Justice: Washington, DC.

The Federation of American Scientists' Drug Policy Analysis Bulletin.

Marijuana Arrests and Incarceration in the United States. 1999.

Still Crazy After All These Years: Marijuana Prohibition 1937-1997:

A report prepared by the National Organization for the Reform of Marijuana Laws (NORML) on the occasion of the Sixtieth anniversary of the adoption of the Marijuana Tax Act of 1937. Washington, DC; Federal Bureau of Investigation's combined Uniform Crime Reports: Crime in the United States (1990-2000): Table: Arrest for Drug Abuse Violations. U.S. Department of Justice: Washington, DC.

Federal Bureau of Investigation. 2001.

Uniform Crime Report: Crime in the United States, 2000. Table 29: Total estimated arrests in the United States, 2000. U.S. Department of Justice: Washington, DC

Descriptive Essay

~From out of Nowhere~

Written by: B Quimby 16 August 2006

I am not sure what happened, I mean one day I have so much energy I think that I am about to jump out of my own flesh and the next I feel as though I am stuck in quick sand. I cannot move. I listen carefully to the sounds around me and try to decipher as to my hereabouts. Unable to fully determine this, I open my eyes. They are sluggish and rebel against my insistence that they cooperate. At last I have them open and the sights are as confusing as the sounds were. I am still unable to comprehend what is taking place around me. There is no one within view, but I can hear the busy hustle and bustle close by.

After a few moments I realize that I am lying in bed and as soon as that comes to me I am feeling guilty. Surely, I must have overslept and we must have company! My mind tells me to get up – NOW! I go to leap out of bed as I have a million times and….nothing. I am cemented to the bed! I cannot move! What is wrong with me?! This is ridiculous! When have I NEVER been able to get out of bed? All of this seems to be so overwhelming…I am exhausted! I will just lie here a bit longer while I try to determine what the hell is going on. Surely someone has played a joke on me. My eyes close….they close much easier than they opened. As I lie here with my eyes happily closed I notice the room that was spinning moments before is slowing down to a stop as a merry-go-round. All I know is I wanted to get off this ride! I feel a wave of pure and utter fatigue wash over me. The next thing that I know is I feel people around me. Again, I have to command my eyes to open…damn! It was NEVER this hard to open them before?!

What I see when they obey me is disturbing. I am comforted in the midst of chaos however, I see my mom and dad and brother and sister. They are all looking at me; but the expressions on their faces – did I do something wrong? I go to reach out to my mom….nothing. My arms refuse to cooperate! Now I am scared! This is when I notice that there are women in white uniforms around me poking at this and prodding at that. The alarms and bells go off in my brain! Something is not right; in fact something is very VERY wrong! “MOM!” I yell, but the sound of it is distorted. I look to her; she is keenly watching the doctor, who seems to be telling them something. I know that it is about me and I want to know. What the hell is going on with me, why can’t I move, or talk right? Mom sees that I am begging for her with my eyes, she comes close to me. She hugs and kisses me and says that it will be alright. I know that she is trying to convince herself more than me. I go to put a hand around her as she hugs me, my hands don’t comply with my desire and kind of flail hitting her.

Later, as I am alone once again, I look at my hands. There has to be a reason I can’t

even hug my own mother and father! When I see my hands, I scream and jump back from them! Nothing comes out of my mouth which gives me the feeling that I am choking on my own vomit. My body that I thought had jumped back and recoiled was in the same position; it never moved. The ghastly sight was my hands. They are all gnarled up; they look like the distorted knots on an old tree, only the sight is more gruesome. I try to straighten them to no avail. I try to lift my arm and only succeed in having it flop off the bedside.

Days blur into weeks, months, and years pass. I find that I look forward to when mom and dad visit. Sometimes there seems to be long stretches in between those times and I can hear them arguing in the hall with other people. I know it’s about me but I don’t know why. When I can talk again, I will ask mom about it. I have been moved around and the doctors have tried various things to take care of me. A few times they had a cylinder looking thing….I am not sure what it is for but they put it in and take it out. I don’t really like that as it makes me not feel well when they do that. Today I notice that the faces of those around me seem pretty grim. There is not much talking and mom and dad have been crying. The doctor is poking and prodding me again. The next thing that I see is he has that hose thing again. He caries it out of the room and my mom flings after him sobbing as my dad catches her and holds on to her as if he would never let her go. The love that they have for each other is something that I always hoped to have. Guess it wasn’t in the cards for me. Mom’s sobs begin to slow as I watch my dad; brother and sister coax her into relaxation. She comes by me. She tells me she loves me and that she will make everything ok. I look at her and will my mouth to let her know that I am fine and not to worry about me. Of course the words just as stubborn as always, don’t deliver. I am tired again now, I close my eyes.

I awaken with a feeling that is making my head seem as though it will explode at any moment. It has been 12 days since the doctor took the hose and left the room. I want to ask for help, the room is spinning. I try to open my mouth but it is impossible. My tongue is peeling; the bleeding stopped a few days back. The delirium that I am subject to provides no answers to what is happening to me. In a far away distance I can hear arguing, crying and sobbing mostly my mom. Back to the room spinning, my body hurts to the point that I think I may die. I am not sure what I need but I cannot hold on to this much longer. I can no longer feel skin on my body though I am sure it is there. Mom and dad, my brother and sister come in by me. The visit is short; too short. We all know this is the last time. I cannot hold on anymore. They are ushered out of my room, Mom clinging to my hand. “Let go mom”, my mind tells her. I can’t stay. I have to go. I close my eyes one more time. This time it is harder to close them than to ever before. It feels as if the lids were sandpaper, rubbing their friction on each other. I take one final albeit painful breath and exhale. It is March 31^st, 2005 and my name was Teresa Marie Schindler-Schiavo.

Vaccination Essay

A Shot in the Dark:

The lies we believe

By

Bridget Danielle Quimby

10 September 2006

Everyday parents all over the United States as well as other parts of the world bring their children in to their trusted health care professional for “well baby visits”. Once there, the topic of vaccination comes up. The parent is told that the child is due his shots and that there is no real danger associated with it. The parents have a sheet of paper shoved in their hands while their child undergoes the dreaded process. That paper is the savior giving the “facts” about vaccinations. Of course, we don’t read it because our baby is sitter there screaming his head off! With thousands of children receiving millions of vaccinations each and everyday, have we really researched their history or are we just doing what we are told and going along with the status quo? Are vaccinations really safe for our children? How effective are they really at preventing those dangerous diseases the doctors warn so incessantly about? Is it possible that there may be a hidden agenda and if so, what is it and whose is it? In the last two generations vaccinations were a basic part of a child’s life just like going to the dentist. Unfortunately, the generation prior to that has been led to believe that these vaccines were the latest miracle. Feeding off fears of this cohort’s memory of horrific pandemic stories and personal experiences; the medical community and our government alike were able to successfully gain society’s support.

Vaccinations are about as safe as swallowing rat poison. In 1970-71 Australian children were dying at a rate of 1 out of 2 after receiving vaccinations. According to the study performed by the University Of Nevada School Of Medicine, 103 children whose deaths were ruled as SIDS; 2/3rds of the babies had received the DPT vaccine less than a month before. Most of them died within 24 hours of the shot. The FDA subsidized a medical study conducted by the UCLA in 1979 calculated approximately 1,000 babies die in the United States every year from the DPT shot. Nationally, that statistic seems small, but the study went on to reveal that nearly 12,000 babies were permanently neurologically damaged as a “direct result” of the vaccine. These numbers, as bad as they are, do not portray the real numbers as 90% of doctors do not file reports of the adverse affects of the vaccines administered. Investigations have found doctors along with other medical professionals are “doctoring” the medical records. For example: reports have shown that when the pertussis vaccine was being rejected many doctors would note all coughs as pertussis. This fastidious organism happens to require a culture lab to identify and is very hard to determine. Dr. Robert S. Mendelson, M.D. practiced pediatrics for 25 years and became one of the first well known well known doctors to speak out about vaccines. He coined the phrase of vaccines being “the bread and butter of pediatrics”. He goes on to say, “…all vaccines today remain, scientifically speaking, unproven remedies – a polite term for medical quackery. The only proven characteristic of vaccines is their devastating adverse affects.” He goes on to ask the heart stopping question “Have we traded measles and mumps for leukemia and cancer?” On the cover of his book How to Raise a Healthy Child…In Spite of Your Doctor, reads the statement, “One of America’s leading pediatricians puts parents back in control of their children’s health.” Doctors make more money off well baby visits and vaccine administration than all other types of visits combined. Protecting their practice of any evidence of possible wrongdoing is essential and liability is nonexistent without these reports.

The effectiveness of vaccines simply does not exist! Viera Schiebner, PhD, a retired research scientist examined 35,000 pages of medical papers dealing with vaccinations and found no evidence of safety or effectiveness. Touted vehemently in some cases by professionals in schools, medical clinics and hospitals ‘vaccines are the reason that our society has been successful at eliminating many diseases such as smallpox, polio and diphtheria’. In all honesty, amid 1850-1940 the rate of childhood diseases such as these declined steadily by 90%; before the federally mandated programs of mass vaccinations in 1964. The government conceded each and every case of smallpox in the world was initiated by the vaccine itself and therefore abandoned its use in the 70’s and 80’s. In 1985, the Center for Disease Control (CDC) admitted during the decade of 1973-1983 at least 87% of the polio cases had been vaccinated against. Diphtheria, like smallpox, had a solid decline of 90% before the vaccine for it surfaced. Pertussis was down by 79% and measles dropped 97.7%; both prior to vaccination introduction. Rubella has been proven ineffective. Army recruits were studied by Dr. Beverly Allan of the University Department of Austin Hospital of Melbourne, Australia. Army staff were vaccinated against rubella and sent to training camp. Four months later 80% of the so-called “protected” (vaccinated) group was sick with the disease. A Hepatitis B shot routinely given to new born babies was rejected by 2/3rds of physicians themselves in a study conducted in 1985. Tetanus dropped 99.8% during WWII.

With all these statistics discovered by upstanding doctors, scientists and medical studies, why would our own medical professionals and government work so hard to administer something so lethal and make it appear mandatory? First of all, vaccines are not mandatory. Doctors will tell you it is if you have a school aged child. They will try to tell you that your child must have vaccines in order to attend daycare and public schools. This is simply not true. I myself have three children in school who are not vaccinated. Our government, quid pro quo sustains the vaccination programs and campaigns incessantly. The lucrative enterprise bioengineered pathogens encouraged and often funded by the US government as a means of population control. Entire ethnicities are targets and the preferred method of introduction to the disease is through vaccination. The Gulf War Illness, produced in this manner was given to an elite number of troops and not reported on the “official” vaccination information. These special vaccinations include Anthrax, and other Saddam Hussein – originated dangers. The CIA officiate ran a test to see how many Gulf Troops came down with the disease and how long it would take for them to die off. Apparently, it has not had as much success as it’d hoped for. In the wake 9/11 and the approaching 5^th anniversary, many are questioning the involvement of our leadership. Was this actually a portion of a population control epidemic? To answer that fully and concisely would take another essay.

References:

http://educate-yourself.org/nwo/nwopopcontrol.html

Vaccinations: Deception & Tragedy by Michael Dye

Every Second Child by Dr. Archie Kalokerinos

The Australian Nurses Journal May 1978 issue

How to Raise a Healthy Child…In Spite of Your Doctor by Dr. Robert S Mendelson, MD

This IS my ex:

The clinical diagnosis of sociopath or psychopath patients is called Antisocial Personality Disorder. Diagnosis in the past was usually limited to those over age 18 but with violence on the rise with adolescents, the medical field is finding it more beneficial to consider this disorder sooner rather than later. The findings are that Antisocial Personality Disorder is chronic, usually beginning in adolescence and continuing throughout adulthood.

Individuals with this disorder have little regard for the feeling and welfare of others. People with this disorder most often exhibit criminal behavior. They do not work. If they do, they are frequently absent and often quit suddenly. They do not consider other people's wishes, welfare or rights. They are manipulative and often lie to gain personal pleasure or profit. They default on loans, fail to provide child support, and fail to care for their dependents adequately. High risk sexual behavior and substance abuse are common. Impulsiveness, failure to plan ahead, aggressiveness, irritability, irresponsibility, and a reckless disregard for their own safety and the safety of others are traits of the antisocial personality. They do not learn from experience. They have no sense of responsibility, are unable to form meaningful relationships, control impulses and lack moral sense. There is often no change in behavior after punishment exhibited by the chronically antisocial. Emotionally they are immature, are self-centered and lack any guilt whatsoever.

Socioeconomic status, gender, and genetic factors play a role. Males are more likely to be antisocial than females. Those from lower socioeconomic groups are more susceptible. A family history of the disorder puts one at higher risk. There are many theories about the cause of Antisocial Personality Disorder including experiencing neglectful parenting as a child, low levels of certain neurotransmitters in the brain, and belief that antisocial behavior is justified because of difficult circumstances. Psychotherapy, group therapy, and family therapy are common treatments. The effects of medical treatment are inconclusive. Most people with Antisocial Personality Disorder reject treatment. Therefore, recovery rates are low.

References:

http://www.hss.caltech.edu/~mcafee/Bin/sb.html

http://www.lovefraud.com/12_leavingAsociopath/Leaving_sociopath_psychopath.html

http://www.bookslut.com/scarlet_woman_of_selfhelp/2005_03_004676.php

http://www.wisegeek.com/what-is-a-sociopath.htm

QUESTION: SHOULD AN AMENDMENT TO THE UNITED STATES CONSTITUTION BE CREATED IN ORDER TO PROTECT VICTIMS OF CRIME?

ANSWER:

Giving victims of crimes the rights that they need in order to rebuild their lives is especially important to me as my children and I learn each day how to survive it and go on from the atrocities we have endured at the hands of my ex-husband. I feel that the more I learn here in school and the wealth of information I have obtained just by experience has been tremendous, but that system of justice is nothing but a crock. Justice and the proverbial "equal justice under the law" would in fact balance the scales of rights between offenders and victims. I am not sure that this is actually attainable, but we should strive or at least attempt to meet this goal. As the system is in its current condition, there is little, if any hope for this to occur.

An amendment to the United States Constitution guaranteeing protection and the rights of crime victims is essential. Our system of justice is so involved in the ensuring the rights of the accused proceed according to the of the Due Process Clause found within the 5th, 6th, and 14th Amendments of the Constitution, yet nothing is found to protect or afford rights to the victims who have suffered unimaginable damage at the hands of these offenders.

Thirty – two states and the federal government have enacted legal protections for victims of crime; however, it is insignificant comfort to those who have endured crimes against them. (Bush) Our criminal justice system is by design, an adversarial system and few victims are prepared for the brutality that they will endure at its relentless mercy. Anyone in their right mind that has a complete understanding of this process would never proceed with a case if they are looking for compassion or solace for the victim. It simply isn’t there; quite to the contrary in fact. Not only does the Constitution provide numerous rights to the defendant of a crime, they have the right to be informed (reminded) of these rights through the Miranda. Victims have no right of knowing what rights they actually posses and perhaps the crux of the problem is the steadfast, undeniable fact that they do not have any!

Statistics shows millions of crimes are committed each year. Where there are crimes there are victims. The data of criminals and the crimes they represent is endless and to a degree of certainty accurately recorded. However, the numbers of victims is far less believable. Many victims do not even report crime. Why does this happen? Many of them know that nothing good will come of it for them. Take for instance the figures on sexual assault and rape. Records indicate that 1 in 3 women are raped; however only 1 in 10 actually reports it.

Another reason to incorporate an amendment to the constitution for victims’ rights is the mere fact that victims by trend are becoming younger each year. Most of them are in their teens or early adulthood. (BJS, 2006) All victims of all ages must be guaranteed by the United States Constitution of certain rights and liberties. Children are especially vulnerable as they don’t always have a voice to be heard when it comes to the criminal process of a crime. Not only has the age of the victim decreased over the past several decades, the velocity to which these crimes have escalated is bewildering. The focus has shifted from punishment for the crime to rehabilitation. Offenders are for the most part, not interested in rehabilitation; and anyone that is familiar with the term in any sense knows that in order for true rehabilitation to occur, the individual has to want it more than they want anything else at that distinct moment. No one can force or coerce someone into wanting to change. The desire for change must come from within or the success of the project will undoubtedly be failure.

There are numerous advocate groups working to help victims of crimes. The work that they do is incredible, but the need is too great. There are not enough resources, people or funding to help every victim. To help ease some of this burden an amendment must be created and implemented. The wording to this amendment must be precise and prepared with careful intent.

References:

Bush, Pres George (April 16, 2002) The White House: President Calls for Crime

Victim’s Rights Amendment. Last visited November 27, 2007 at: http://www.whitehouse.gov/news/releases/2002/04/20020416-1.html

BJS (September 10, 2006) Bureau of Justice Statistics: Trends in victimization rates by age, 1973-2005. Last visited November 27, 2007 at: http://crime.about.com/gi/dynamic/offsite.htm?zi=1/XJ/Ya&sdn=crime&cdn=newsissues&tm=71&f=00&tt=14&bt=0&bts=0&zu=http%3A//www.ojp.usdoj.gov/bjs/cvict_v.htm

Introducing.....ME!

This blog is about me, my life and my kids. Kids includes my basset, for those that don't know. I have had blogs before and have been too busy to keep up with them. It's not that I am not too busy now...even more so than before. Actually, I need an outlet. I need a place to tell about the good stuff as well as the bad. I also wanted a place to share my writings and my opinions...which are strong and some may find offensive. If you, as a reader do find my opinions offensive....here's a hint: DON'T F***ING READ IT THEN!

NOW! That we understand each other....:)
Oh, and get used to seeing the basset crap....it's everywhere...


Let me know what you think....I love opinions. I will be entering some of my writings on here, and I value opinions on those, too. If all ya gots ta say is "YOU SUCK", then you are on the wrong blog! Go spread the hate somewhere else. If ANYONE is going to be bitching around here.....it's gonna be ME!

~LiLo's Mama