tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-36650340385455660942024-02-07T11:05:36.056-08:00Patt's Progressive PonderingsMy name is Patt Gavin and I'm a Progressive Activist currently living in Los Angeles. The writings on this blog are my own opinions, and will not necessarily represent the views of other Progressives. You are free to comment on any of the writings posted here.Patt Gavinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00608449337622604582noreply@blogger.comBlogger111125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3665034038545566094.post-10322986489859550382021-10-22T12:37:00.003-07:002021-10-22T12:37:52.601-07:00Prison Reform<p style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium;"> The statement has often been made that there are more 17-year-old black men in prison than there are in college. Sometimes it is made more broadly as, "There are more young black men in prison than there are in college." Either way, if true this would be a troubling statistic. And would indicate that prison reform is certainly necessary. </span></p><p style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium;">From what I've been able to find, this quote goes back to Ben Carson, who said there were more young black men in the criminal justice system than in college. Politifact did a study on this and was able to identify nearly ten times as many young black men in college as were incarcerated, so this statistic appears to be untrue.</span></p><p style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium;">Does that mean prison reform is not necessary? If that were the only measurement, possibly not, but we must also consider some other factors. To begin, the sheer number of Americans in prisons is staggering. China is the most populated country in the world with 1.4 billion people, followed closely by India with 1.3 billion. The United States is third with 332 million. Yet, China incarcerates 1.7 million of its citizens and India less than 500,000. The United States, by contrast, leads the world in incarcerations with more than 2 million. </span></p><p style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium;">When viewed by race, the numbers are not encouraging. While whites are the largest group in prison, they are also the largest group in the general population of the country. While roughly 60% of the country are white and 15% are black, whites make up 58% of the prison population, while blacks are currently at 38%. And while 38% is certainly unacceptable, it is encouraging to see that the number is down slightly from the years before. Although only by a small amount.</span></p><p style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium;">What is truly abysmal is that in 1970 the total number of people in prison in this country was less than 500,000; putting about where India is today. So how did we go from that number to more than 2 million in such a short period of time? Well, we did it by making several mistakes.</span></p><p style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium;">To begin with, we declared a war on drugs. Now, this was a very bad idea because at the same time that we were decrying the evils of drugs, we had television commercials telling us to smoke (nicotine is a drug) and drink (alcohol is a drug). So, the war on drugs was only on some drugs. That will never work. </span></p><p style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium;">Added to that, the war on drugs specifically targeted the poor, which in 1970 tended to also mean minority, especially blacks. So, the majority of arrests for drugs was in the black community. This creates a vicious cycle because men with a prison record have a harder time finding a job, and the jobs they often get pay much less than they need to live on. This leads to more dependency on drugs, either as a means of making money or as a means of alleviating the drudgery of day-to-day living. Which leads back to prison.</span></p><p style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium;">It's also important to notice that many of the people in the prison system are awaiting trial. They are still in jail because they cannot afford to pay the bail to be allowed to be free. Some of these people will not go to prison because they aren't guilty or their guilt cannot be proved, but they are still missing work, and will lose their jobs while they wait. </span></p><p style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium;">And then came three-strikes laws, which put many people in prison for life even though their crimes do not warrant such harsh punishment. And it should also be noted that sentences are often longer based on skin color.</span></p><p style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium;">Taking all of this into consideration, it is apparent that prison reform is desperately needed, but it is not a simple answer. Legalizing drugs is a start, and that can be done easily enough. That will eliminate about 20% of the current prison population. We also need to eliminate bail (this can also be done), which will reduce the incarcerated population by about 25%. These two moves along will reduce the population in our jails and prison by nearly half.</span></p><p style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium;">We need to get rid of bad laws, like three-strikes. And we need fair sentences that are not based on race. The purpose of prison is to rehabilitate. If the prisoner has learned their lesson, it is time to release them, not keep them in for years, and in some cases, decades. This is a waste of tax dollars and a waste of a life. </span></p><p style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium;">We should be working toward bringing out prisons back to where they were in 1970; with one fourth of the prisoners that we have today. And prison reform is dearly needed to accomplish that goal.</span></p>Patt Gavinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00608449337622604582noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3665034038545566094.post-25883193387425489252017-11-28T11:42:00.001-08:002017-11-28T11:43:18.448-08:00Reforming Taxes<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Probably the biggest news for this week is the anticipated vote on Tax Reform that the House has already passed and the Senate is currently considering. Restructuring taxes is something that is probably supported by most Americans, assuming the outcome for every American is the same -- that our particular tax bill will be lower than it has been.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Obviously reducing everyone's tax bill is not possible. While some people's tax bills will definitely go down, others will undoubtedly go up, but not necessarily in ways that will be obvious to everyone. For example, eliminating the deduction for home mortgage interest while raising the "standard" deduction may look like a wash but the only way to be certain is by comparing your particular situation from last year with what the potential outcome will be with the change. That is difficult to do since the information on the bill that has been released so far does not contain specifics that one can apply to an individual situation. In short, we probably won't know the benefits (or harm) until the measure is passed into law. That's not very comforting. One has to wonder why the Senate would operate under such conditions.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">The other portion of the proposed Tax Reform bill is for corporations. The current tax rate in the United States on corporation is 35%, which is the third highest in the developed world. And business owners have fought against this every way they can, as one would expect. Tax incentives abound for corporations and those savvier CEOs take advantage of every one they can. With the proposed reforms, the tax burden of these companies would go from 35% down to 20%. While that won't make America's tax rate for corporations the lowest in the world (Ireland and Great Britain, for example, are both lower than 20%), it would make this country more favorable to doing business here, and, the argument goes, increase the ability of all companies here to offer more and higher paying jobs, expand their operations in America and increase needed research and development.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">All of these are good arguments and points that most Americans can support. The problem is, they just aren't factual. This last August <a href="http://www.ips-dc.org/" target="_blank">The Institute for Policy Studies</a> released their 24th annual report on Corporations and those corporations' current role in the tax paying drama. The study looked at 92 publicly held American companies that a) reported profits every year from 2008 through 2015, and b) paid less than 20% in federal income taxes (less than the corporate tax rate proposed by the House and Senate Tax Reform bills). Their findings don't give weight to the argument that cutting taxes increases job growth, expansion or research.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">The median job growth between 2008 and 2016 of these companies was a negative 1 percent. Among US companies as a whole in that same period the growth was 6%. While 6% is not a large number, at least it's a positive. For these studied companies, there was an overall job loss.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">48 of these 92 companies (52%) eliminated a total of 483,000 jobs during this time period. That hardly suggests job growth. If these companies are paying less than the proposed new tax rate, why did they cut jobs? Remember these companies posted profits EVERY YEAR. Where is the job creation? What did they do with those profits?</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">The average pay for the CEO of these companies increased to $13.4 million. That's an 18% increase. That compares to a 13% increase for CEOs in the S&P 500 and 4% in the private sector. And for the CEOs of those 48 companies that slashed jobs, they enjoyed a pay of $14.9 million on average.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">But those increases are worth it if these companies are expanding and doing research (since we know they are not using their profits to increase their workforce). But, that doesn't appear to be the case. In fact, the top ten companies that cut jobs also spent $45 billion EACH buying back their own stock. Which is money well spent if your goal is to make it appear that your stock is worth more than it actually is but does nothing to add to the job market. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Then what can be done for tax reform? For corporations, tax reform does not appear to be necessary. Looking at the information above, 92 companies made profits every year for the past decade yet paid less than 20% in taxes. They are already paying below the level that the Senate is proposing, so unless the tax incentives remain, these corporations will wind up paying more than they have in the past. Given the current political climate in Washington, I highly doubt that this is the intended outcome.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Instead of rewriting the tax code, I would suggest passing two simple pieces of legislation. The first is very simple; no publicly traded corporation in America is allowed to buy back its own stock. This would eliminate the possibility of a company artificially inflating its stock price and in the example above, would have provided $450 billion for job creation, expansion and research. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">The second piece of legislation would change who can take advantage of tax cuts. Put simply to qualify for any tax breaks a company cannot pay its highest paid employee more than eight times what it pays its lowest paid employee. "Pay" would include all forms of compensation, including benefits, stock options, etc. If, for example, a corporation pays a receptionist $20,000 annually, and values that employees benefits package at an additional $20,000, the total compensation for this position would be $40,000. That would allow the corporation to pay its CEO $320,000 in total compensation. If the benefits equal the salary, then the CEO would be paid $160,000 annually. That's a far cry from the $13.4 million that the CEOs of the 92 companies above are paid (on average) and much less than the $14.9 of the 48 CEOs who cut nearly half a million jobs. But look what this legislation would do for our workforce. If the CEO wants to keep earning $14.9 million (assuming this is total compensation), then the receptionist must be paid nearly $1.9 million. This is probably not going to happen, but the lowest paid salary can certainly be increased while CEO pay is decreased to level out somewhere closer to the middle. Offering salary and benefits totaling $80,000 to the lowest paid employee would make that position livable (and using my ratio of equal pay and value of benefits, this salary of $40,000 would essentially be an hourly salary of $19.24 (roughly)). As an entry-level position or an unskilled occupation, that salary would certainly appeal to most job-seekers. In this scenario the CEO would earn $640,000 annually, or $320,000 salary and $320,000 in benefits. Most Americans would agree that this is certainly a livable wage.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">This is reform that would actually make a difference. While the current proposed legislation will make the rich richer, my scenario would lower the wealthy to a still wealthy position, just not as high while raising the lower paid positions to something that would benefit the people who truly need it the most; the rank and file who do the work that makes companies profitable. And by cutting the executive salaries to something reasonable, there will be more money available for creating more jobs, expanding businesses and conducting research. Under this proposal, there are more winners.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">For anyone interested in reading the full report referenced above, a copy of it can be found here: <a href="http://www.ips-dc.org/wp-content/uploads/2017/08/EE17-final-embargoed-for-August-30.pdf">http://www.ips-dc.org/wp-content/uploads/2017/08/EE17-final-embargoed-for-August-30.pdf</a></span></div>
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Patt Gavinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00608449337622604582noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3665034038545566094.post-41077994075828208432017-09-06T04:56:00.001-07:002017-09-06T04:56:17.645-07:00We Don't Need A Wall<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">The issue of immigration has always been contentious in this country but particularly now that President Trump is in office. He ran on a platform of building a wall and keeping out illegal immigrants, but a wall does more than keep out illegals; it sends a signal to the world that "outsiders" are not welcome here. That is probably not the message that most Americans want the world to receive.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">So, rather than building a wall, why not just reform our immigration laws? Right now we have a quota system, and it has never been a fair system. From the very beginning it was designed to keep certain people out, not to be inclusive of those in need. Jews, Irish, Chinese, Germans, Italians, Puerto Ricans, Haitians, Cubans, Mexicans and many others have been singled out over the years as being groups who were undesirable and unwelcome in this country. Yes, these people are now part of the fabric of this country and have added to the greatness of this nation.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Limiting immigrants to only "those we want" (wealthy, well-educated and from first-world nations) and not allowing "those we don't want" (poor, Latino/dark-skinned from third-world countries) is not the way we need to handle this problem. But we also have to address the very real issue of Americans who feel that their jobs are in jeopardy from immigrants taking lower pay to do the same job. Particularly in areas where unemployment is very high, seeing immigrants moving ahead is hard to swallow. Those feelings are valid and must be addressed.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">To that end, I propose an overhaul of the system that would be more fair to everyone; both immigrants and Americans. For the immigrants, we have a more open system, but one that requires a paper trail. Illegal immigrants will only be those who refuse to follow the administrative course that will be required for entry into this country. For anyone who goes through the proper channels, they will be allowed in (with few exceptions) and will be allowed to stay so long as they obey the rules.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">The process is fairly simple; anyone who wishes to emigrate to the United States would visit the nearest US Embassy (or its website) and complete and application. That application would include a small fee that would be used to process the application. Most importantly, a background check would be done on the applicant, looking for evidence of violent crimes. Note that stealing food to feed the family is not a "violent" crime. People with records of rape, attempted murder, assault, battery and the like are not the people we need in this country. Those applicants would be denied. Anyone without a record would be allowed in.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">The next step is a medical checkup. Immunizations must be up to date. Those would be arranged through the embassy for a small fee. We don't need sick people bringing disease into our country. Lastly, the applicant must have a sponsor in America. A person, family, church or organization that is willing to accept them.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Once the paperwork is done and accepted and the immunizations are completed, the person will be allowed to enter the country. In their first week they must report to the local police station and register as a legal immigrant. They will need an address and phone number where they can be reached, and if they move, they must report their new information within one week. This registration will allow them to apply for a social security number and a driver's license.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">From the date they enter the country, they will have six months to either begin working full-time or be accepted to school full-time. No one will be allowed to stay in the country if they are not working to better themselves. Every six months they must report to the police department and check in to ensure that we always know where they are and what they are doing. They must file their income tax return on time every year, and that must be shown to the police. Once they have filed fifteen federal income tax returns, they would be eligible for citizenship.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">The major change in this system is what they cannot do. No immigrant will be allowed to collect any public benefit until they have filed fifteen federal income tax returns. This means ALL welfare programs are off limits. Even if a woman comes into this country and gets pregnant from an American, unless he has custody of the child, she and the child are not allowed any public benefits. No immigrant would be eligible for government grants for school, they could not apply for any Obama Care programs, they cannot collect any welfare. If they have worked and they are laid off, they would be allowed to collect unemployment, but only to the amount that they have paid into the system.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">This change in our system is more fair to the Americans while allowing immigrants to enter our country without the fear of being illegal. It would allow them a path to citizenship while not taking benefits from hard-working Americans. It would show us as a country that is welcoming to those in need, not a nation that builds walls to keep them out.</span>Patt Gavinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00608449337622604582noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3665034038545566094.post-62276140537586068912016-06-15T19:06:00.000-07:002016-06-15T19:06:38.082-07:00We Need To Prevent More Mass Shootings<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;">The
story of the recent tragedy in Orlando was still unfolding when I
started to hear the usual comments. “It could only come out of
Florida,” or “More senseless violence by the Muslims,” or
“Trump was right; we need to keep these people out of our country.”
At first glance, these statements seem to be reasonable but looking
deeper into the issue, we see a very different pattern emerging.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;">In order
to discuss this it is first necessary to look at this crime. We
label this a “mass shooting” and while it is the largest ever to
take place in our country, it is not the first. Over the past 50
years there have been 14 such shootings with 12 or more victims.
Until this incident the most lives lost in a single mass shooting had
been the Virginia Tech Massacre where 32 people were killed. After
that it was Sandy Hook with 27, Luby's Cafeteria with 23, and
McDonald's of San Ysidro with 21. The remainder of the shootings had
under 20 killed in each incident. This does not make them any less
tragic. I just don't want to list each one here.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;">In all
14 shootings a total of 274 lives were lost at the hands of 18
killers. (There were two people involved in the San Bernardino
shooting, two at Colombine and three at Wah Mee in Seattle). 76 of
these (or 28%) lost their lives at the hands of Muslims. 102 of them
(37%) were killed by Christians. It is entirely possible that this
number is actually higher. I can only include those who I know were
Christians, not those who I suspect were probably Christians. George
Hennard, for example, was the perpetrator of the killing spree at
Luby's Cafeteria in Texas but I have not been able to ascertain a
religious affiliation for him. As such, I can't just assume he was
Christian and include him. If he was a Christian, that would
increase the number to 125 or 46%. James Huberty was the killer at
the McDonald's in San Ysidro, CA where 21 people lost their lives.
He might have been Christian as well. Patrick Sherrill in Edmond, OK
killed 14 people at a Post Office and Aaron Alexis killed 12 at the
DC Naval Yard. These men might also have been Christians. If these
are added in, the total comes to 172 or 63%. But even without these
victims in the tally, Christians have killed more people in mass
shootings in this country than Muslims have.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;">Looking
at it from a racial perspective, only four of the killers were Middle
Eastern. Five were Asian. One was African-American. Eight were
Caucasian. In every case of the Caucasians, they were all born in
this country, as was the African-American. None of them were
immigrants. Two of the Middle Eastern killers were also born in this
country. They were U.S. Citizens as well. </span>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;">While
Florida is very sadly the scene of the deadliest of these shootings,
until this happened, Florida was not even on the list. Two shootings
were in each of four states; California, Texas, Virginia and
Colorado. The others were in New York, Connecticut, Oklahoma,
Washington (state) and Washington, D.C. There is no set pattern for
where these types of crimes will occur.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;">And
while Omar Mateen (of the Orlando shootings) and Tashfeen Malik (of
San Bernardino) made claims to being supportive of ISIS, those claims
appear to be mere lip-service. There has not been any firm evidence
found that directly links either of these people to this hateful
organization. Even assuming that such is the case, then 63 of the
victims would be killed with allegiance to ISIS as the motive. That
would be 23% of the total victims. The other most probable motive is
mental illness, which accounts for 170 of the crimes. 62% of the
victims lost their lives because the killers were mentally ill. If
it is found that Omar Mateen also had this condition, that would
raise it to 80%.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;">This
number does not include the shootings at the Edmond, Oklahoma Post
Office, as I have not been able to find evidence that Patrick
Sherrill was mentally ill. It also does not include the Fort Hood
killings or San Bernardino, as neither has been directly attributed
to mental illness. The Wah Mee Massacre was a robbery and therefore
also does not fall under this category.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;">What
this tells us is that mental illness is the most common cause of this
type of violence. But certainly not all people with mental illness
are killers. Most live out very normal, peaceful lives. Many are
under medical care and some are taking medications to control their
disability. The problem stems from those who do not receive the care
they need. I would also venture a guess that these particular people
(those who perpetrated these crimes) probably had a tendency toward
violence in their lifetimes. Omar Mateen and James Huberty both had
histories of domestic violence. Adam Lanza, the Sandy Hook murderer
had a long history of obsession with violent video games. Adding a
violent nature on top of mental illness is a very deadly combination.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;">Finally,
pour into the mix the availability of guns in our country. The radio
program “Market Place” did a study after the Sandy Hook killings
and found that there are more places to buy guns in the United States
than there are Starbucks locations throughout the entire world. They
did the same study after the Orlando shootings and found the same
results.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;">If we
wish to end these killings, we don't need to point our fingers at
Muslims or Christians or any other religion. We don't need to look
at the nationality of anyone or do any racial profiling. What we
need to be concerned with is mental illness left unchecked and
untreated, particularly in individuals who tend toward violence. And
if such is the case, we need to restrict the weapons these
individuals would have access to. These are the steps that must be
taken because we must do all we can to not let this happen again.</span></div>
Patt Gavinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00608449337622604582noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3665034038545566094.post-57701133402219611492016-06-12T14:33:00.000-07:002016-06-12T14:33:41.480-07:00And Now, Another Senseless Loss of Life<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">After 50 people were shot to death in a gay nightclub in Orlando, Florida, there will undoubtedly be another call for gun control. The National Rifle Association (NRA) will once again rally its membership to fight any forms of control with their tired chant, "They're trying to take our guns away." But are they really?</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Like most Americans, I own and drive a car. Before I was allowed to drive a car, I first had to apply for a license. The process involved being of a certain age, then getting a learner's permit, which only allowed me to operate a vehicle with a licensed driver in the vehicle with me. Then I had to go to the state and take a written test. Once I passed it, then I could take a practical test with a state representative in the vehicle. Only after passing that could I get my license.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">But that's only part of the saga. Then I had to buy a vehicle and once purchased, I had to insure the vehicle. This insurance was partly to insure my investment but really, it's mostly to protect others, as I have to carry liability coverage. All of this had to be done before I could put my vehicle on the road.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Why can't guns be regulated (controlled) in a similar fashion? First, establish a minimum age for gun users. This would have to be debated. Some would feel that 12 would be old enough, others will say 21. Let's make it reasonable and say 13 but you have to be accompanied by an adult with a license and 18 to go solo. Since 13 is a minor, they would still need the permission of a parent to apply for a gun permit.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Also, anyone with a history of mental illness or a record of incarceration for violent crime would probably not be the best people to be allowed to own weapons. If they have a licensed adult who is willing to accompany them, perhaps there can be a special arrangement made for things like hunting.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Once the permit is received, the permit holders are allowed to shoot with a licensed adult. That adult will train them in gun safety, etiquette and proper handling. All of that will be done before learning to aim and pull the trigger. Also, cleaning the weapon would be taught. Once the permit holder is ready, they can then go and take a written test. This test will demonstrate that they know how to properly handle a weapon.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">After the written test is passed, they will then have a practical exam where they will fire the weapon, not showing that they are good marksmen but that they can do so safely. After this, they will properly clean the weapon.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Now they can receive a license but only for that particular type (class) of weapon. If they want another type, that's another test, just like getting a driver's license does not allow you to operate a motorcycle. You have to have a motorcycle license for that.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Finally, when the person is licensed they can purchase a gun in the proper class, but they must also purchase gun insurance. Gun insurance would be relatively inexpensive for things like hunting rifles and small handguns. The insurance would pay for loss of the firearm as well as paying damages should anyone be injured by the weapon. As the weapon increases in power, the insurance increases in cost. While a 22 rifle might cost $25 a year for insurance, an uzi would be $1,000 annually. This doesn't stop anyone from owning one, it just means you would have to really want one.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">All guns would have to be recorded and licensed, just as cars are licensed. They would be registered with the state so the owner would be on record. They would have to be maintained and demonstrated to the proper authorities that they were in good working order at all times. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">This is gun control. It's not a matter of taking weapons away, it's a matter of making them safer for everyone. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>Patt Gavinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00608449337622604582noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3665034038545566094.post-2304553214619168082016-06-12T08:04:00.000-07:002016-06-12T08:04:17.505-07:00What Happened to the Republican Party?<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">You hear it a lot these days; that this (the Republican Party) is not the same Republican Party that Ronald Reagan belonged to. And I have to agree. The Tea Party Republicans are so far to the right that they have pulled the entire party away from the center which ultimately led to the election of Donald J. Trump as their presidential candidate. But how did this happen?</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">As I see it, it all goes back to a handful of people, starting with Rush Limbaugh. Rush and his big mouth have spouted hatred for decades. He had a captive audience that continued to grow as he maliciously lied to them day after day. Democrats didn't have a way of countering this because as (Air America found out), Democrats don't listen to pundits. The reason for this is simple; we can think for ourselves. Just give us the facts and we'll make up our own minds. Republicans aren't like us. They want someone to tell them what to think and Rush was happy to do that.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Riding on this new-found conservatism came Newt Gingrich and his "Contract with America" in 1994. </span><span style="background-position: 0px 0px; border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; color: #191919; font-size: 16px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Six years later, Edward H. Crane of the Cato Institute called it a failure: "the combined budgets of the 95 major programs that the Contract with America promised to eliminate have increased by 13%." So, another lie by the Republicans but one that gave them control of the House and Senate.</span></span><br />
<span style="background-position: 0px 0px; border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; color: #191919; font-size: 16px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></span>
<span style="background-position: 0px 0px; border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="color: #191919;">On top of Rush Limbaugh we have Bill O'Reilly, Sean Hannity, Glenn Beck and Ann Coulter, all spewing hatred against the Democrats and all making matters worse rather than better. Every one of these people has spent decades swaying the Republican voters toward their agenda of hatred against liberals. They don't like gays. They don't like immigrants. They don't like atheists. They don't like anyone who can think for themselves because if everyone did, they would all be out of work.</span></span></span><br />
<span style="background-position: 0px 0px; border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="color: #191919;"><br /></span></span></span>
<span style="background-position: 0px 0px; border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="color: #191919;">And all of that has now come to it's most illogical conclusion; the election of Donald Trump. While those of us who do think are scratching our heads at this, I can't say we're really surprised, given the way the GOP has changed over the recent decades. We have watched it steadily going downhill and to see it crash and burn is what we would expect. And that's pretty much where it is now.</span></span></span><br />
<span style="background-position: 0px 0px; border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="color: #191919;"><br /></span></span></span>
<span style="background-position: 0px 0px; border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="color: #191919;">And yet, the GOP members of the House (like Paul Ryan) are still supporting "their" candidate, even though none of them wanted him in the first place. They still speak out against everything he says (which means everything he stands for) but they continue to back him because, in their words, he would still be better than Hillary Clinton. In fact, Paul Ryan recently defined one of Trump's statements as "textbook racism" but insisted that Donald would still be a better choice than Hillary. Apparently, Hillary is worse than textbook racism, somehow. He didn't elucidate on that any further.</span></span></span><br />
<span style="background-position: 0px 0px; border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="color: #191919;"><br /></span></span></span>
<span style="background-position: 0px 0px; border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="color: #191919;">Which just shows how truly misguided ALL of the GOP are. To put an egotistical, megalomaniacal, narcissist into the White House for no other reason than that he is NOT a Democrat truly shows how much these people do not care about our country. They would rather ruin life for all of us but be able to say they have the White House rather than support the one candidate who has proven herself as the most presidential simply because of her political affiliation.</span></span></span><br />
<span style="background-position: 0px 0px; border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="color: #191919;"><br /></span></span></span>
<span style="background-position: 0px 0px; border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="color: #191919;">This is truly not our finest hour.</span></span></span>Patt Gavinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00608449337622604582noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3665034038545566094.post-31473714380536770742016-04-08T06:38:00.002-07:002016-04-08T06:38:18.752-07:00<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">A letter to Lois Frankel, U.S. Congresswoman from Florida:</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="background-color: white; color: #444444; font-size: 15px;">On February 17, 2016, Representative Hank Johnson of Georgia sent a letter to </span><span style="background-color: white; color: #444444; font-size: 15px;">Secretary of State John Kerry requesting assurances that the Leahy law restrictions on assistance to foreign security forces are being applied to Israel and Egypt. The letter, signed by nine other representatives and Senator Patrick Leahy, calls on the Department of State to investigate reports of human rights violations by Israeli and Egyptian forces, and to determine what action should be taken under the Leahy law.</span></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: white; color: #444444; font-size: 15px;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">In their letter to Secretary Kerry, the members of Congress express concern that U.S. military aid to military units in Israel and Egypt has not been subjected to the same rigorous tracking mechanisms that U.S. military aid is subjected to elsewhere in the world. This type of congressional oversight is absolutely essential to the success of our democratic system.</span></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: white; color: #444444; font-size: 15px;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">In addition to Rep. Hank Johnson (GA) and Senator Patrick Leahy (VT), this letter was signed by Representatives Andrè Carson (IN), Sam Farr (CA), Raúl Grijalva (AZ), Eleanor Holmes Norton (DC), Eddie Bernice Johnson (TX), Betty McCollum (MN), Jim McDermott (WA), James McGovern (MA) and Chellie Pingree (ME). What is most troubling to me, as a Floridian, is the lack of a signature by any of our representatives from the sunshine state. You, Lois Frankel, did not sign this letter and as your constituent, I want to know why you failed in your duty to uphold the law.</span></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: white; color: #444444; font-size: 15px;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Our laws are what make our country the great nation it is and failure to follow those laws is tantamount to anarchy. When Israel and Egypt violate our laws, and use our funding to abuse the basic human rights of others, then we are responsible for those actions and must act. I am very proud of those members of Congress who had the temerity to stand up and speak out against these egregious actions but I am ashamed that my own Representative would be so cowardly to not put her name on the paper.</span></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: white;"><span style="color: #444444; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 15px;">Lois, I am calling on you as my elected Representative to Congress to do the right thing. I want you to send a letter to Secretary of State John Kerry lauding the efforts of your fellow Representatives and adding your name to the list. I want you to show that you respect our laws and our land and if you refuse to do this, then I am calling on you to resign your seat. If you refuse to uphold the laws of the United States, including the Leahy law, then you must not remain a member of the U. S. Congress.</span></span></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: white;"><span style="color: #444444; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 15px;">Sincerely,</span></span></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: white;"><span style="color: #444444; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 15px;">Patt Gavin</span></span></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: white;"><span style="color: #444444; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 15px;">The letter sent by the Representatives to Secretary of State Kerry follows:</span></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">February 17, 2016</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">The Honorable John F. Kerry<br />Secretary<br />Department of State<br />Washington, DC 20520 </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Dear Secretary Kerry:</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">We commend you for your extraordinary efforts to try to bring peace and stability to the Middle East. We write today to request information regarding the application of the Leahy Law in Israel and Egypt. We are also inquiring about specific allegations of gross violations of human rights by the security forces of both countries.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">According to information we have received, the manner in which U.S. military assistance has been provided to Israel and Egypt, since the Camp David Accords, including the delivery of assistance at the military service level, has created a unique situation that has hindered implementation of normal mechanisms for monitoring the use of such assistance. Please update us on what mechanisms are in place to monitor the use of such assistance by Israel and Egypt.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Additionally, while the Bureau of Democracy, Human Rights, and Labor (DRL) is responsible for processing vetting cases, the Department’s regional bureaus and our embassies have a responsibility to help document and determine the credibility of information related to allegations of gross violations of human rights by foreign security forces. Please provide a description of the procedures used by the Bureau of Near Eastern Affairs and our embassies in Israel and Egypt to investigate such allegations in order to enhance the quality of information being maintained and evaluated by DRL and made available to you.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">There have been a disturbing number of reports of possible gross violations of human rights by security forces in Israel and Egypt – incidents that may have involved recipients, or potential recipients, of U.S. military assistance. We urge you to determine if these reports are credible and to inform us of your findings:</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">• Israel: Amnesty International and other human rights organizations have reported what may be extrajudicial killings by the Israeli military and police of Fadi Alloun, Saad Al- Atrash, Hadeel Hashlamoun, and Mutaz Ewisa. There are also reports of the use of torture in the cases of Wasim Marouf and Ahmed Manasra.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">• Egypt: Human Rights Watch has described the August 2013 massacre in Rab'aa Square as “the world’s largest killings of demonstrators in a single day in recent history.” Recent reports document what may be extrajudicial killings by Egyptian security forces of Sayed Dwedar, Nasser al-Hafi, Osama al-Husseini, Hisham Khifagy, Gamal Khalifa, Abd al-Fattah Ibrahim al-Sisi, Taher Abdullah, Muatasam al-Agizi and Hisham al-Dessouky. There have also been a number of reported cases of forced disappearance including Asma’a Khalaf, Islam Atito, Sabry al-Ghoul, Esraa al-Taweel, Omar Ali, and Souhaib Sa’ad,and Al-Sayed al-Rassed.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">In light of these reports we request that you act promptly to determine their credibility and whether they trigger the Leahy Law and, if so, take appropriate action called for under the law.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Thank you for your consideration.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Sincerely,</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Rep. Hank Johnson (GA), Senator Patrick Leahy (VT), Representatives Andrè Carson (IN), Sam Farr (CA), Raúl Grijalva (AZ), Eleanor Holmes Norton (DC), Eddie Bernice Johnson (TX), Betty McCollum (MN), Jim McDermott (WA), James McGovern (MA) and Chellie Pingree (ME).</span></div>
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Patt Gavinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00608449337622604582noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3665034038545566094.post-50465383370432002372015-10-20T10:38:00.000-07:002015-10-20T10:38:10.212-07:00Letter to Representative Lois Frankel in Response to Her Vote Against Peace<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">My Congressional Representative, Lois Frankel voted against the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA), which forces Iran to divest itself of nuclear weapons in return for having sanctions against it removed. I feel that this deal should go forward and to have my representative vote against it does not meet with my approval. To that end, I contacted her office (by email) and told her I wanted her to vote in favor of the proposal. She did not, however the measure passed without her.</span><div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">The following is her letter to me explaining her decision, as well as my response to her. I apologize for the length but each letter is about two pages long.</span></div>
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Dear Mr. Gavin,</div>
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Thank you for contacting me with your thoughts on the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA) negotiated by the P5+1, European Union partners, and Iran. I appreciate hearing from you and I welcome the opportunity to respond. </div>
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Let me start with the obvious: Iran should not be allowed to obtain a nuclear weapon. It is the world's most active state sponsor of terrorism, lending support to Hezbollah, Hamas, and the Assad regime in Syria. As disturbing, if Iran becomes a threshold nuclear state, it is expected that other countries in the Middle East will seek nuclear weapons, leading to proliferation throughout an already unstable and dangerous region.</div>
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That's why the vote on the nuclear deal with Iran was one of most important votes I have faced in my public career. In that regard I spent the 60-day review period, allotted to Congress by law, engaged in intensive and thorough hearings, briefings, and discussions with administration officials, colleagues, constituents, as well as global leaders. </div>
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I believe that a diplomatic solution is the best course of action and value the tireless dedication of President Obama, Secretary Kerry, and the U.S.-led negotiating team in that effort. With that said, I voted against approving the deal because I felt that it legitimized Iran's nuclear program after 15 years and gave Iran access to billions of dollars without a commitment to cease its terrorist activity. It was a price too high to pay.</div>
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As members of Congress we placed ourselves in a complicated situation by weighing in after a deal had already been agreed to by top U.S. negotiators, five partner nations, Iran, and the United Nations. It is an agreement that even ardent supporters admitted was far from perfect, but argued that rejecting it would entail sobering consequences, including isolating the United States on the international stage, unraveling sanctions without any gain, and allowing Iran back on the path of building a nuclear weapon.</div>
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As wrenching as this vote was for some lawmakers, it does not compare to the agony of the men, women, and children suffering at the hands of Iran's terrorist regime. With this nuclear agreement, the Iranians will receive billions of dollars in unfrozen assets and future revenues that undoubtedly will be available to intensify their support of horrific activity aimed at innocent human beings.</div>
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Stripped of its technicalities, this deal essentially rewards—in fact, enables— a terrorist regime without extracting sufficient concessions. Concessions that could have made me support the resolution of approval would have been permanent nuclear disarmament and a cessation of non-nuclear terrorism. </div>
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The release of sanctions without requiring a stop to terrorist activities is disturbingly counterproductive. We will be releasing billions to a destructive terrorist regime, while spending billions trying to keep peace in the Middle East. And we will be financially rewarding high ranking officials of Iran's Revolutionary Guard who have rich interests in businesses that will profit from the sanctions relief. </div>
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The U.S. government classifies the Islamic Republic of Iran as the most active state sponsor of terrorism. Iran has a long history of sponsoring terrorist attacks against the United States and Israel. Iran's proxy Hezbollah, the first terrorist organization to use suicide bombing in the Middle East, has killed hundreds of U.S. citizens and Israelis at home and abroad. Iran also lends support to Hamas, the Taliban, and militias in Iraq. By supplying weapons, bombs, and militia to Assad in Syria, Iran is in large part responsible for the greatest humanitarian crisis of recent times.</div>
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There should be no doubt why Israel, our best friend and greatest ally in the Middle East, has determined that Iran poses an existential threat. Iran's Supreme Leader has not only called for the annihilation of Israel, branding it a "cancerous tumor," but reportedly recently published a 416 page book detailing the means by which Israel's effacement should be achieved.</div>
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In 2006, Hezbollah fired thousands of rockets and missiles at towns and villages across Northern Israel. With their augmented arsenal courtesy of Iran, Hezbollah now points over 100,000 missiles at Israel with launchers strategically placed in densely populated areas throughout Lebanon.</div>
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Since Israel withdrew from the Gaza Strip in 2005, Hamas terrorists have fired more than 11,000 rockets into Israel with Iran's support. Over five million Israelis are currently living under threat of these attacks. In Sderot, located less than a mile from Gaza, children, 75 percent of whom suffer post-traumatic stress disorders due to the violence, have less than 15 seconds to seek shelter when rockets are fired. </div>
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New reports indicate that Iran is funding the rebuilding of Hamas' sophisticated tunnel network to attack Israeli civilians. Despite sectarian differences, Tehran and Hamas are united in their call for the extinction of Israel.</div>
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While the struggle of Israel has been at the forefront of the Iran deal debate, the horrific stories coming out of Syria must not be ignored. Iran props up the brutal Syrian dictator Assad who carries out mass torture on his own population in order to maintain power. Barrel bombs with nails and chlorine, sarin nerve gas, starvation, and rape are just a few of his sadistic methods of repression. His regime is responsible for the deaths of over 250,000 people and the displacement of 10 million from their homes as they try to escape in terror, pouring into neighboring countries and Europe.</div>
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The world has witnessed their desperate plight: thousands fleeing for freedom, children's lifeless bodies washing up on shore, refugees suffocating in trucks. Along with the moral calamity, displaced Syrians are straining the resources of nearby countries and Europe.</div>
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What's more, Assad's brutality has become a rallying cry for ISIL recruitment.</div>
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Proponents of the Iranian nuclear agreement argue that it was never meant to address Iran's terrorist and expansionist activities—that only nuclear related sanctions will be lifted and those aimed at terrorism will continue to be enforced. The tradeoff proponents advance is unsatisfactory: at best a 15 year delay on nuclear enrichment, unlocking the next generation's door to a wealthier emboldened Iran on the threshold of nuclear breakout. </div>
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As you may know by now, after a vigorous and contentious review, Congress did not block the JCPOA. All parties to the deal are apparently moving forward with its implementation. Now, it is time for those of us on both sides of the debate to work together to make sure that Iran lives up to the agreement and stops its carnage of terrorist activity.</div>
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Thank you again for sending me your thoughts. I encourage you to visit my website at <a href="http://frankel.house.gov/">http://frankel.house.gov/</a> to read my policy statements and learn how I voted on past legislation. </div>
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It is a privilege to serve you as Representative for Florida's 22nd District. Please do not hesitate to reach out to me with other issues that concern you in the future. I welcome your input as I share ideas with my colleagues in the 114th Congress. </div>
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</span><span style="font-family: Times; font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Times; font-size: small;">Sincerely, </span><img alt="" border="0" height="53" src="https://iqconnect.lmhostediq.com/iqextranet/Customers/FL22LF/LF_BK_Sig.jpg" width="240" /><br /><span style="font-size: small;">Lois Frankel </span><span style="font-size: 12pt;">Member of Congress</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">My reply to her follows:</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;">Dear
Lois:</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;">In
response to your letter of October 2, explaining your reasons for
voting against the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA), I have
to say that I am appalled. Your reasoning and logic do not take into
account certain relevant facts, and I have to wonder if you are truly
that misinformed or if you choose to believe lies that support your
opinions.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;">You
mention Iran's support of both Hezbollah and Hamas. Hezbollah was
formed in Lebanon in 1982 as a reaction to the ILLEGAL invasion of
that country by Israel. It was created as a direct response to
Israeli hostility and were it not for Israel, that organization would
not exist.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;">Hamas
was formed in Palestine in 1987, coming out of the Palestinian Muslim
Brotherhood. Again, this organization was created as a reaction to
the ILLEGAL actions of Israel, this time in stealing land from the
Palestinians. </span>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;">As a
member of the Foreign Affairs Committee it is vital that you
understand this history and that you understand that the actions of
Israel in the Middle East have exacerbated the hostilities in that
region.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;">You
claim in your letter that Iran cannot be allowed to obtain nuclear
weapons. Yet, according to the Stockholm International Peace
Research Institute, Israel, who is NOT a party to the Treaty on the
Non-Proliferation of Nuclear Weapons (NPT) currently has 80 nuclear
warheads. Why are we allowing ANY non-NPT country to have nuclear
weapons? Why have we singled out Iran and completely ignored Israel?</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;">You
claim that Iran supports the Assad regime in Syria, which is true
(Iran uses Syria to funnel weapons to both Hezbollah and Hamas),
however Iran is not responsible for the crisis in Syria today. Syria
is. This is a civil war and even if Iran were to completely divorce
itself from that country, the war would continue. Iran did not start
it. It was a dictatorship that is being fought by its own people.
Civil wars are horrible things; our own country had one. But they
can also be necessary and they resolve themselves over time. Iran's
intervention in the war in Syria is no better or worse than our own.
They just happen to be on the other side and there is no right or
wrong side in this war. The best we can do for Syria is to open our
own borders to the refugees. We should strike the Assad forces
because of their use of chemical weapons, but beyond that, this is a
war for the Syrians to fight themselves. We cannot prevent Iran from
participating any more than we can prevent Russia from participating.
What we could do is peacefully negotiate with Syria and Russia to
step back and allow the Syrians to settle this themselves. Which
means we should also stay out of it.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;">You cite
that Ayatollah Ali Khamenei has written a book calling for the
effacement of Israel. You fail to mention the man's name, however,
or the title of the book. The book is titled, "Palestine"
and yes, he does call for low-level warfare against Israelis to
remove them from the land and regain it for the Muslims. This is one
person's opinion, not the work of the nation of Iran. And I would
expect that as an American you would respect the constitutional right
of all people to Freedom of Speech. Khamenei is entitled to his
opinion, just as you are entitled to yours. To cite this as a reason
to vote against this deal is anti-American at best and treasonous at
worst.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;">You
state that since 2005 Hamas "terrorists" fired 11,000
rockets at Israel. What you fail to mention is that the majority of
"rockets" coming out of Palestine are homemade. Why not
face the truth, Lois? From 2001 until April 2014 rockets out of Gaza
killed a total of 44 Israelis. From 2000 until 2014 a total of 1,198
Israelis were killed by Palestinian attacks throughout the entire
region of Palestine/Israel. By contrast, 9,151 Palestinians were
killed. Nearly ten times as many. </span>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;">Let's
break those numbers down further. In Israel 129 children were
killed. In Palestine, 1,523 children were killed. Palestinians
killed 731 civilians compared to the 3,535 civilians that Israelis
killed. In Israel, 596 people died on their own land. In Palestine
6,756 people died on their own land. </span>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;">The
numbers do not support your claims. Palestinians are freedom
fighters, trying to keep their lands and their lives in spite of a
much stronger army that is invading them. Israel are the terrorists
who are stealing that land. Since 1948, when Israel first became a
state, not one inch of land has been taken back from then.
Considerable land has been stolen by the Israelis and remains
occupied to this day.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;">You
consistently support Israel, even though Israel has been the cause of
unrest in the Middle East ever since the Zionist movement began
illegally taking land from the Palestinians. As a member of the
Foreign Affairs Committee you MUST know this. If you do not, you are
not qualified to sit on this committee and I call on you, as your
constituent to remove yourself from this panel. If you do know this
information, then I expect to see legislation presented to move
forward a peace process in the Middle East.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;">To begin
with, we must stop financially supporting Israel. A country that is
able to stockpile nuclear weapons is not a country that needs our
support, either financially or militarily. Today we give $3 billion
annually to Israel. This is far more than we give to any other
country and this needs to be reduced to zero. There is no reason for
the United States to continue to support a terrorist nation. And
yes, Israel is a terrorist nation. History has already proven that.
In fact, to date the United Nations has passed 79 resolutions against
Israel for illegal actions, and that does not include the nearly 30
additional resolutions against Israel that the United States managed
to veto.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;">We must
lead the United Nations and other military forces in enforcing
Israel's 1948 borders; which means the withdrawal of ALL Israeli
occupation from Jerusalem, the West Bank, Gaza and all Palestinian
lands outside of those borders. </span>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;">We must
lead the United Nations in the establishment of a country of
Palestine, respecting the 1948 borders of Israel and work with all
nations in the Middle East to ensure that WITH THESE BORDERS these
countries all have a right to exist. We must work toward ensuring
that peace ensues.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;">We must
impose the same sanctions against Israel that we imposed against Iran
until Israel relinquishes its own nuclear weapons program. It must
divest itself of its current stockpile of nuclear weapons and
disassemble its plants so no additional weapons are created.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;">I will
expect to see this legislation coming from your office, Lois. You
claim that your vote against JCPOA was because of the potential for
terrorism in the Middle East, then I expect you to live up to your
words. Stop Israel's state-sponsored acts of terrorism. Prevent
Israel from any further violence against the Palestinians and Muslims
of the Middle East. Ensure that Israel is made to live by the same
rules of war as the rest of the developed world, something Israel has
never done.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;">Anything
less than this is unsatisfactory and will be met with your dismissal
at the next election. And all of AIPAC's money will not be enough to
help you to win when your constituents are confronted with the truth.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;">Sincerely,</span></div>
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Patt Gavinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00608449337622604582noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3665034038545566094.post-23353795217332717162015-10-13T13:17:00.000-07:002015-10-13T13:17:36.976-07:00Disabled American Veterans<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Today I received a mailing from the Disabled American Veterans. This group routinely sends out address labels and holiday cards and then requests a donation, and they apparently do quite well with this endeavor. The money they raise is then supposed to be used to assist disabled veterans here in the United States.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I say "supposed to be used" because I have often heard allegations from veterans stating that the organization does not help vets. While I can neither prove nor disprove this, I can do a little research on my own.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Disabled American Vets (DAV) is a non-profit organization and as such, they are required by law to file a Form 990 with the IRS every year. This form must list the salaries of the board members and highest paid employees of the organization. For years now I have relied on this form to let me know if I should give to a charity or not. My criteria is quite simple; if the organization is paying exorbitant salaries they don't need my money.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">How do I define "exorbitant"? I define it with a dollar amount. I don't see that anyone working for a non-profit needs to be paid more than $75,000 annually. Even in a major city, this salary is more than enough to live on. Anyone who can't needs to take a class in money management because they're living beyond their means.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">DAV does not do well based on my criteria. The three highest paid members (based on their 2013 990 form, which is the most recent I was able to find) were paid more than $300,000 each. Christopher Clay was paid the most at $354,139, followed by Barry Jesinoski ($320,055) and Marc Burgess ($319,888). Of the top ten salaries, seven of them are paid in excess of a quarter of a million dollars per year. In addition to those already named, the others are Arthur Wilson ($289,761), Joseph Violante ($276,574), Anita Blum ($273,137) and Susan Loth ($272,511). Rounding out the top ten are Brian Coward ($234,112), Larry Palzin ($130,303) and Joseph Johnston ($117,781). </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">These figures are all pulled directly from the Form 990 filed with the IRS for 2013. Since this document is filed by the organization it is reasonable to assume that the information is accurate. $2,588,261 that was donated to the organization was used to pay salaries of only ten people. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I'll use the address stickers, and I might even use the holiday cards, but I will not be sending any money to this organization. Any organization that would use my contribution to make its board of directors wealthy does not need my support. Nor does it deserve my support. An organization like this should be put out of business and I do hope that more people learn of how they spend their money. Maybe that will help to eradicate this scourge on the public.</span>Patt Gavinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00608449337622604582noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3665034038545566094.post-62563538980442711952015-09-15T07:57:00.000-07:002015-09-15T07:57:27.631-07:00Immigration Reform<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">With the unrest in Syrbia and the economic difficulties of both Greece and Puerto Rico, there is a sudden surge in immigration throughout the developed world. While the bulk of these are coming from the Middle East, the people of Puerto Rico are leaving their island and coming to the United States in larger numbers. This has once again brought immigration back into the spotlight. While Puerto Rico is a territory of the United States, it is not a state and as such, its people should be treated the same as any other people entering this country.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Our current immigration system is broken and it has been for years. It simply does not work and it's long past time to revise it. </span><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">"Give me your tired, your poor, your huddled masses yearning to breathe free," are the famous lines from the poem, "The New Colossus" which is engraved on a plaque and is part of the Statue of Liberty. As a nation, we should live by these words. Living by these words must be done in such a way to be fair to the immigrants and fair to the Americans who welcome them. I suggest the following:</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Anyone who desires to come to America for a better life must do it legally. They should visit their local American Embassy and fill out an application. That application will then be reviewed, mostly for past criminal activity. If there is a history of violent crime, the application is denied. We do not need the criminals of other countries coming here to commit their crimes. Those are not the tired, poor, huddled masses.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">This background check should be completed within two weeks. It does not take any longer than that to run a background check and extending that period only makes illegal entry easier than legal. Run the background check immediately and be done with it.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Once the background check is complete and assuming no violent crime has been found, the application will be approved. Approval means a visa to live and work in the United States. The person then has 30 days to find a place to live and register with their local government with their American address. Once they have done this, they will be able to apply for a Social Security number and a driver's license. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Within the first six months the person must report to the local government that they have found employment or are attending school on a full-time basis. They must report every six months to update their information and if they move, they must immediately notify their local government office.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">In order to make this fair to the American people, no public benefits will be available to anyone who has not paid taxes for a minimum of ten years. In the event of a child born in the United States, benefits are not available until their parents have paid taxes for ten years. This includes welfare, medical, food stamps and all other public benefits. If the person has not been working in this country and paying taxes, they are not eligible for benefits. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Lastly, before any public benefits are paid to any immigrant, they must be granted citizenship. If they do not choose to become a citizen of this country, they are not eligible to receive benefits from this country. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">This is the simple plan of immigration reform that I propose. It would be equitable for all involved, it involves a path to citizenship and it eliminates the need for illegally entering this country. </span>Patt Gavinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00608449337622604582noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3665034038545566094.post-48225827234891421292015-08-27T07:19:00.000-07:002015-08-27T07:19:22.716-07:00The Second Amendment<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">"A well regulated Militia, being necessary to the security of a free State, the right of the people to keep and bear Arms, shall not be infringed." This is the wording of the second amendment as passed by Congress. When it came to the states to ratify this amendment, it was changed slightly to; "A well regulated militia being necessary to the security of a free state, the right of the people to keep and bear arms shall not be infringed." Slightly different but the same general idea.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">For decades organizations like the National Rifle Association have touted their "right to bear arms" as being a constitutional right. In looking at the amendment, it certainly does give the right to bear arms but it does not give that right exclusively. Look at the beginning of the sentence. The part that organizations like the NRA ignore. It says that a well regulated militia is necessary to the security of a free state. Remember, this was written at a time when the United States did not have much of a standing army. We were not the most powerful nation on the planet yet. And many people lived in what we would now call the wilderness. They needed to be able to protect themselves.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">All of that has changed. Today we have a military. We have police departments at the city, county and state levels. We have a national guard. We are very well protected and we no longer need individual citizens to make up our militia. However, there is a large population of our citizens who believe that they still have the right to bear arms.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">So, in all fairness, we must follow the amendment as it is written. I propose that all gun owners must register their weapons with their local police department. That registration is to be sent to the federal government where a listing will be kept of who has which weapons and where they live. Once that information has been compiled, then it will be disseminated to the military recruiters throughout the country, who will then go to the homes of the gun owners and escort them to their nearest military base for basic training and to begin their service to their country. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">A militia is an organization of citizens who are required to assist the military in time of need. Our citizens cannot assist the military if they are not properly trained and basic training will take care of that. Of course they will be paid for their time. They will receive the exact same payment as anyone else going through basic training. Once the training is complete, they will be allowed to return to their homes and their jobs and their lives but they must report to their commander once per month the way any reserve soldier would. They will report, gun in hand and serve their country. This service is until death or for as long as they own a gun, whichever comes first.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">This is the price for owning a weapon, as is spelled out in the constitution. Since the gun lobbyists and activities insist on calling upon their second amendment rights, let them live up to what the second amendment actually says. </span><br />
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<br />Patt Gavinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00608449337622604582noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3665034038545566094.post-47935406799627910782015-06-11T19:37:00.000-07:002015-06-11T19:37:02.971-07:00Why I May Not Vote For Hillary Clinton<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Like most progressives I was very excited to see Hillary was going to run for president. I believe it is long past time that we see what a woman can do as the leader of the free world and Hillary is the most qualified by far. When she finally announced her candidacy, I was a little disappointed that her website did not have bumper stickers. I went to another site (www.carryabigsticker.com) and they had Hillary stickers for $3.50 with free shipping. I bought one and put it on my car.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">While I was on Hillary's site, I did sign up to be kept informed and I made a donation to her campaign. A few weeks later, I received an email from her site that they now had merchandise, so I went to look. They did have bumper stickers, two for $5.00. I decided that even though I already have one, I would like an official one, so I ordered it. Or them. Or I would have. When I got to the shipping page I was informed that it would cost $5.87 for the shipping. Of two bumper stickers. When other sites ship them for free. Two bumper stickers would easily fit in an envelope and could be mailed for less than fifty cents. Why is the cost $5.87?</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I asked the Hillary campaign this. I received an email in return (without a person's name on it) stating that this is the way the fulfillment center is set up but that they are working on correcting it. That was on May 27, 2015. Today is June 11, 2015 and I went back and looked at the site again and the cost for shipping two bumper stickers is no longer $5.87. It is now $6.09. So, the way they fixed the problem was by charging more.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I told them that if they could not get the fulfillment center to ship the merchandise at a reasonable cost, then they should order the bumper stickers themselves and keep them in their office and if anyone is only ordering bumper stickers, the office can send them out for fifty cents (even though carryabigsticker.com is free) and that would be acceptable. They never responded on why that was not possible, only that they were working to correct the problem, which they have by making it worse.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Is this a major problem? No. Is it a problem? Yes. Did Hillary fix the problem? No. Do we want a president who does not fix problems? I don't think so.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">But wait. There's more. Remember I said I signed up to be kept informed of her campaign? What a mistake that was. Three emails in one day. And the campaign season hasn't really started yet. And none of them gave me any indication of her platform or why I should vote for her. They were all either to buy merchandise, to give more money, to enter a contest to meet Hillary, to host a party (Hillary would not be coming to it) or some other lame excuse to send an email.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Thank God for unsubscribe. I am no longer receiving Hillary's emails. At this point, I wonder if I am going to vote for her. I seriously think if she wants the American people to vote for her, she needs to get in touch with us and reduce her shipping prices to reasonable pricing. $6.09 to mail two bumper stickers is beyond excessive.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I think Hillary Clinton is out of touch with America.</span>Patt Gavinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00608449337622604582noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3665034038545566094.post-87264962071015227182015-02-24T18:17:00.000-08:002015-02-24T18:17:33.125-08:00A Not-So-Long-Ago Story<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">An invading army entered a country, killed many of its inhabitants and occupied the territory. A small group of the people who lived in the country eventually rose up against the invaders and, using whatever means they could, fought back and drove them from their land.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">This happened in the 2nd century BCE in Jerusalem when the Seleucid Empire attacked Jerusalem and occupied it as part of their country. A small group of Israelites know as the Maccabees retaliated against them and were successful in driving them out. This event is commemorated to this day in the festival of lights that we commonly call Hanukkah.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">In 1987, after years of having their land confiscated from them by an invading force, a small group of Palestinians called themselves Hamas and began fighting back against the Israeli army. The same geographic area and the same scenario yet the ancient fighters merit a festival while the modern fighters are branded as terrorists.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">The men and women of Hamas are freedom-fighters trying to liberate their land from the hands of an invading force that would take it from them. If someone tried to take your land, wouldn't you fight back?</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">It is disgraceful that in a nation that values freedom as highly as we claim to, we do not rush to the aid of the Palestinians. Instead, our government financially supports Israel and places Palestine on a Terror Watch List. These people are not terrorists. They want to live in peace just as we do but Israel will not allow it.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">It is long past time to end this. Our financial support of Israel must end. Our branding Palestinians as terrorists must end. Our military support needs to be sent to Palestine to push Israel back behind the borders that were established in 1948. Israel is not entitled to any land beyond those lines.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">As the leader of democracy in the free world, it is our duty to protect the innocent men and women of Palestine and give them back their land. It is our duty as peace loving Americans to help these people in their time of need. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Anyone who does not know about this conflict and the true reasons for it, should read <i>Arabs & Israel For Beginners</i> by Ron David. Also check out the website http://www.imemc.org for news on the Middle East told without the bias of American news organizations. In other words; for the truth.</span>Patt Gavinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00608449337622604582noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3665034038545566094.post-55399359534101203062015-02-24T18:04:00.000-08:002015-02-24T18:04:31.223-08:00Another Case of Fraud In The Justice System<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">This is probably one of the worst cases of fraud that has ever blemished the American Justice System. A jury in New York awarded $218.5 million in damages to the families of victims of suicide bombers in Israel in the early 2000s. On the surface, this looks like a good thing but we need to see what's truly happening here.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">The defendants in this case were the Palestine Liberation Organization (PLO) and the Palestinian Authority, which is now known as the State of Palestine (since 2013). The jurors found that these two entities are liable for the deaths of Americans and under the Anti-Terrorism Act, they awarded them monetary settlements.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">In the first place, did the bombers act under orders of the PLO or the State of Palestine? Nothing in any of the news articles I could find proved that they did. If these were lone bombers who were attacking Israel, then these organizations cannot be held responsible, any more than the United States is responsible for the actions of Timothy McVeigh, who blew up the federal building in Oklahoma City.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Second, the PLO did not exist until 1964 and the Palestinian Authority until 1993. Both were formed out of a need due to Israel stealing land from the Palestinians. How, then, is Israel not being held accountable for their part in this? Had they not stolen Palestinian land, these organizations would not exist, and therefore no trial could have been held. Israel is the proximate cause of this action, yet Israel is not being charged, as they should be. Israel is a nation of state-sponsored terrorism and the United States continues to support them.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Third, how many of the jurors were Palestinian-Americans? In our country, a defendant is entitled to a trial by a jury of their peers. If Palestine is on trial, then Palestinians should be in the jury box. If the Israel Law Center is allowed to represent the plaintiffs, then the jurors need to be Palestinians. Otherwise, a fair trial cannot be guaranteed. In this case, it certainly was not a fair trial.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Fourth, assuming that awards are merited (which is not certain by any means), how did they come up with this amount? If all 33 victims were 35 years old and earning $60,000 per year, and all received a 5% salary increase annually until their retirement at 65, they would have earned a total of $131,548,923 or 60% of what the jurors awarded. Why such a hefty increase over their lost earnings?</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">This is just one more example of Americans being uninformed and lied to. Palestine has been the victim for decades and our government not only allows it, they sponsor it. The Israelis need to be held accountable. The Israelis are the root cause of the problems in the Middle East and the Israelis need to pay their fair share for damages done.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I say bring Israel to trial for these crimes. Let the actual perpetrator of the unrest in the region be held liable for their actions. I doubt very much that Attorney Yalowitz or the Israel Law Center will be much of a help in that regard. They certainly don't care about justice. They only care about harming Palestine. Again.</span>Patt Gavinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00608449337622604582noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3665034038545566094.post-38580640111450557552014-11-22T08:14:00.000-08:002014-11-22T10:56:16.967-08:00Obama and the Immigration Situation<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Not everything I do is political. I've been a little lax on this blog because I was working on writing and publishing a novel on vampires. If you're interested, it's called "Vampire Tales - Book One - Genesis" and you can find it at most online book dealers.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Now on to Obama. Since moving to Tulsa I've been surrounding myself with more and more Republicans. Those who are not truly Republican are still rather conservative. I consider myself to be a breath of fresh air for their stale minds. Just about everyone I meet here gets their news from Fox. It's sad, really.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">After Obama wrote his Executive Order on immigration, these people have been asking me what I think of my president now, assuming that I would now change my mind considering how he has taken power that the president is not allowed by the constitution. Or I would be ashamed of how he has taken a "my way or the highway" approach and gone off on his own without regard for the work of the Congress. Or at the very least that I would agree that the will of the people in this last election is that the Republicans are best able to run the government and we should agree with that wisdom.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">To all of this I say, get real. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">In the first place, Obama is an expert when it comes to the constitution. He knows where the power lies and he knows what he can and cannot do. He knows, for example, that only congress can change the laws that would grant green cards, so he did not go that far. He went as far as the law would allow him to go. That is not a power grab. That is doing his job.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Now let's look at the elected bodies. The senate passed a bill for immigration reform. That is the job of the senate. That bill was sent to the house. The house is then to re-write the bill, if they don't like it the way it is, and vote on it. If it's the same bill, it goes to the president for his signature. If not, it goes back to the senate to be re-worked by that body. When they reach an agreement it goes to the president. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">In this case, the senate passed a bill and sent it to the house. The house has been sitting on that bill for more than 500 days. For over a year they have ignored their job duties and done nothing. We did not elect them to not do their jobs. The president told them if they were not going to do their jobs he would do it for them. They did not do their jobs. He did his. That is not a power grab. That is doing the job we elected him to do.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">As for a "my way or the highway" approach, they seem to be a tad bit mistaken on who has that attitude. Mitch McConnell stated six years ago that his primary concern was to make sure that Obama was a one-term president. Six years later he now claims he wants to work with the president. John Boehner has consistently shown that he will not work with the president. If anyone needs evidence of that, look at how many times Boehner has brought measures up for a vote to repeal Obamacare. It's over 50 times now. Yet, they could not find time to vote just once on immigration reform. It's not Obama who has the "my way or the highway" approach. That badge sits squarely on the chest of the Republicans.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">And lastly, the "people" did not speak in the last election. In fact, the majority of people do not speak in any of our elections. It's very sad that so few people in this country vote but that's the reality. Most do not. For the 2012 presidential election, there was a much larger turnout than for 2014. And the 2012 voters voted for Obama. So, if you want to argue that it's the will of the majority, that would be for Obama, not for a Republican led House of Representatives and Senate. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">No, I will continue to support Obama. I stand behind his ideals and beliefs and I share his vision for a better America. Our immigration laws are unfair and need to be rewritten and he has taken a step in that direction. Hopefully his action will cause the Republicans to finally pass reform legislation and get our country moving again.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>Patt Gavinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00608449337622604582noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3665034038545566094.post-31756577256000428212014-11-02T06:46:00.001-08:002014-11-02T06:46:02.996-08:00Mary Fallin, Running on her Record<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Mary Fallin was elected governor of Oklahoma four years ago on the platform that she would improve the economy and reduce unemployment. Four years later, the economy has improved and unemployment is below the national average. How much of this has been achieved through Fallin's efforts is debatable, however, Fallin is running for re-election based on her record. As the incumbent candidate, she should. Her record is what the voters need to look at to decide if she is the best candidate going forward.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Let's look at Fallin's record:</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Fallin was presented with a study early on in her term to improve the prison system in Oklahoma. Our prisons need serious work and this could have been accomplished years ago, however Fallin threw the proposal out. Now, she is looking into it, not because she believes in the idea but rather because she is running for re-election.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Fallin, like nearly all American governors, supported Common Core. Her support was one thing she did well. However, Common Core will only work with proper implementation and when it was revealed that it did not work, rather than take responsibility for her part in the debacle, she immediately distanced herself from the wreckage. Janet Barresi took the fall and lost her re-election bid. Fallin is still in the running.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Our state is among the lowest in education, largely because our teachers are among the lowest paid. You get what you pay for and excellent educators are leaving Oklahoma to teach elsewhere for better wages. Our teachers' salaries aren't even in line with the teachers in our neighboring states. Fallin claimed there isn't any money in the budget to raise their salaries, yet she was able to find money to raise the salaries of the heads of several state departments who were already being paid more than the teachers. Her reasoning was that their salaries should be in line with the national average in spite of the fact that a) Oklahoma's cost of living is below the national average and b) teachers aren't even in line with neighboring states, let alone the national average.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Yes, Mary Fallin should run on her record. And once her record is evaluated, voters should ensure that she does not get another four years to ruin our state. We just can't afford her kind of leadership.</span>Patt Gavinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00608449337622604582noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3665034038545566094.post-25803592861902848042014-07-14T10:40:00.000-07:002014-07-14T10:40:21.411-07:00Israel vs. Hamas<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">In any conflict there are at least two sides but the most important element is the truth. Getting to the truth can only be achieved when one knows the facts. In the present state of unrest between Israel and Hamas, the facts do not seem to be important.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Last month three Israeli teenagers were abducted and executed. Without any evidence to support their claim, Israel accused Hamas. Hamas has denied involvement but that fell on deaf ears. When the bodies of the victims were found, Israeli citizens retaliated by kidnapping a Palestinian teenager and setting him on fire. They burned him to death. The perpetrators of this crime were apprehended but it is extremely doubtful that they will receive proper punishment for their crime, given that their victim was a Palestinian.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">The Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant (ISIL) though now known only as the Islamic State has apparently claimed responsibility for the initial abduction of the Israeli's. ISIL is a jihadist militant group that grew out of Al-Qaeda. They are not Hamas, they are not connected to Hamas and Hamas does not exert any control over them. Yet, Benjamin Netanyahu continues to blame Hamas, even though he apparently knows that Hamas was not involved.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">When Israel killed an innocent Palestinian youth, the Palestinians had a right to defend themselves. They did so with rocket strikes against Israel. Israel has retaliated with airstrikes against Palestine. This must be put in perspective. Palestine has launched over 800 rockets and killed no one. Israel has struck over 1,300 times and killed nearly 200. The vast majority of the casualties are civilians. Israel knows this. Israel does not care.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">All Americans should be aware of what is going on in Israel. United States Foreign Aid to Israel makes up more than half of the foreign aid to the entire world. We give more money to Israel than to any other country but we get nothing in return. Israel is not an oil-producing nation, so they do not supply us with oil. In two wars that the United States started (Iran and Afghanistan), Israel has not supplied any military assistance. We get nothing for the money we spend.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">The Arms Export Control Act states that the United States may stop aid to countries </span><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">which use U.S. military assistance for purposes other than “legitimate self-defense.” Palestine has a right to retaliate when Israel burns one of their children alive. Israel cannot correctly call their current actions against Palestine "self-defense." As such, the United States should immediately withdraw all military assistance from Israel until such time as Israel agrees to enter into peaceful negotiations with Palestine. Such negotiations must include an immediate cease-fire, releasing Palestinians held as prisoners without the benefit of due process and returning land illegally seized from Palestine since the agreement of the borders in 1967.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Israel is killing innocent Palestinians and the United States is supporting that effort. When will the people of this great nation stand up for those who are being oppressed by our allies?</span>Patt Gavinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00608449337622604582noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3665034038545566094.post-59185657219112700202014-07-04T21:49:00.000-07:002014-07-04T21:49:00.829-07:00It's Up to Men to End Abortion<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">For decades now we have heard that abortion must be legal because it is a woman's right to choose. I agree. We have also heard that abortion is murder. I understand that sentiment but I cannot say that I fully agree. Murder is too strong, as that entails a crime against a person and abortion is an exercise of the woman's right to her body. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">The loudest voices in this argument have been the voices of men, particularly among the elected officials and women have often felt that this was unfair. Women claim that if men got pregnant abortion would have been legal centuries ago. Perhaps this is true but we will never know for certain.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">One thing I do know, however, is that men can end this once and for all. I am suggesting that we do just that, beginning on January 1, 2015. That gives us nearly six months to prepare. Once we implement the program, we should expect to carry it through to its full term of five years for completion.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Many states have passed legislation to curtail abortions and many of those laws have been overturned by the courts. Even if the states win, they still lose because they must pay to defend the lawsuits brought against them. This is not a step forward.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Several states have recently passed legislation that would close the majority of the abortion clinics within their borders, which does nothing to stop the abortions; it merely moves them across the state line. That does not solve the problem, but enacting this program will cause these clinics to close simply because they won't have the necessary patients to keep them open.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">This program is simple because it does not require legislation, it does not cost any money to implement and it does not involve women. It is the men taking the initiative and handling this problem once and for all.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Beginning on January 1, 2015, all across America, men must abstain from sex with women. Now, I know this might be difficult but there are alternatives. For example, you can take matters into your own hands, so to speak. This is not the ideal situation but it has its benefits. Not needing a partner means not caring if you're showered and shaved. Small talk is avoided and no promises need to be made; or broken.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Sex with a woman is allowed so long as it is either oral or anal. The difficulty with this is that, while the man is often more than willing to make this sacrifice the woman is usually not on board with the idea. Suggesting that her sister might be willing to help out just might get her to re-think her position.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Lastly, having sex with another man is fine. Actually, it is encouraged. Since most states are either allowing gay marriage or at least considering it, the taboo on man-to-man sex is no longer what it once was and in reality, a lot of men have been looking for an excuse to try anyway, so why not just give in?</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Implementing this program is simple, and once done, pregnancies in this country will drop to zero. When no women get pregnant no women have abortions. As time goes on, the abortion clinics will close, due to the fact that they will be under-used to the point that they cannot afford to stay open. Legislators can get back to working on actual problems that need their attention, not on regulating women's bodies, and this whole argument of whether or not abortion should be legal can finally be put to rest.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">The program will conclude on December 31, 2019. Men, the ball is in your court. Can you rise to the occasion? Are you willing to stand firm and show exactly what you're made of? Join me and together we will end abortion in this country.</span>Patt Gavinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00608449337622604582noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3665034038545566094.post-8593191808780620752014-03-24T22:54:00.000-07:002014-03-24T22:54:29.235-07:00How To Be A Great President<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Since the days of Harry Truman, presidential administrations have been ranked by their approval, expressed as a percentage. Looking at the approval rating of all presidents from that time forward as they left office, only two were higher than 60%. As far as greatness goes, these two men can truly be said to have been great presidents.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Ronald Reagan left office with the highest approval rating to that date, at 63%. During the eight years he was in office, the cold war ended, tax cuts for individuals increased, nuclear arms were reduced worldwide, the war in Afghanistan ended (that didn't last very long), the first female Supreme Court Justice was appointed, the Air Traffic Controllers who went on strike were fired (they would have cost the tax payers $700 million had they received their outrageous demands), a successful rescue mission was launched in Grenada and the Strategic Defense Initiative was implemented.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">When Reagan left office, the country was prosperous and at peace. The Dow Jones Industrial Average stood at 950.68 on the day Reagan took office. When he left, it was at 2,235.36. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">While Reagan's 63% approval rating certainly sounds impressive, and it especially is when compared with the 34% that both Jimmy Carter and George W. Bush had when they left office, or the pitiful 24% that disgraced Richard Nixon's administration. But impressive as 63% is, it was not to remain the highest. That title is currently held by William J. Clinton who left office with a 66% approval rating. Highlights of the Clinton years included an impressive 115 months of economic expansion, 22 months of job creation, the highest home ownership in American history, the lowest unemployment rate to date, the lowest crime rate in 26 years, the smallest welfare rolls in 32 years, the lowest poverty rate in 20 years, the first female Attorney General and the first female Secretary of State and the conversion of the deficit to a surplus.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">When Clinton left office, the country was again prosperous and at peace. He took office with the Dow Jones Industrial Average at 3,241.95 and left when it was a staggering 10,578.24. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">These two men have one very important fact in common, and it is this commonality that made them great. Reagan was a Republican, but the House was controlled by the Democrats. The Republicans held a slim control of the Senate, which they lost in 1987.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Clinton is a Democrat and his first two years saw him with a Democratically lead House and Senate. That reversed in year three when the Republicans took control of both houses and that control remained until the end of Clinton's presidency.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">What each of these men had to do was work with the opposition. No president runs this country on his own. They all have to have the backing of the other elected officials in order to be successful and the truly great know that in order for this country to excel, no one political party can ever have its way to the detriment of the other party. There has to be a negotiation where each party gets some of what it wants but neither party gets it all. When we have this balance, when we work together, we are truly the United States of America and our history shows that when this happens, we can achieve greatness.</span>Patt Gavinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00608449337622604582noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3665034038545566094.post-18785262261594338972014-01-13T17:32:00.002-08:002014-01-13T17:37:58.300-08:00Fullerton Police Officers Found Not-Guilty in Beating Death of Kelly Thomas<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Two former Fullerton police officers were found not-guilty of murder charges stemming from the death of a suspect, Kelly Thomas after a violent altercation with the officers. Thomas died from asphyxia, according to a coroner's report. The two officers were charged with murder when surveillance video showed their violent altercation with the suspect. Today, a jury found both officers not-guilty on all counts.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I agree with the verdicts.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">This case is very complicated and not simply a matter of police officers using excessive force (which they definitely did). This case, like most cases, needs to be examined from the very beginning and a determination must be made as to the proximate cause of the incident. A proximate cause is that item which, were it not present, the outcome could not have happened in the same way. More on that later.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Kelly Thomas was a 37-year-old homeless man who roamed the streets of Fullerton, California. Apparently, he was schizophrenic and had been involved in numerous run-ins with the police. According to a story in the Orange County Register, from 1990 until 2011, he had been arrested 92 times. While the majority of these arrests were for minor incidents, not all were. His most serious charge was for assault with a deadly weapon. This is not the type of man who should be left to wander the streets.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">And therein lies the problem. Kelly Thomas was born to Ron and Cathy Thomas in 1974. Ron is a former Orange County sheriff's deputy. Ron and Cathy continue to live in the area, so why was their son homeless? Why was a schizophrenic with a history of violence and criminal activity allowed to roam the streets unchaperoned?</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I have not been able to find any good reason why Kelly was homeless. He had a family living in the area and from their actions since his death, they appear to have loved the man. Why, then was he homeless? Apparently, the family was not able to deal with his mental illness so they released him to the streets so he could be someone else's problem. I cannot reach any other conclusion. If this is so, then the proximate cause of this action was the action of the parents. Had their child not been homeless, the police would not have been called to stop him from breaking into cars. The parents, then, are the cause of this entire incident.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">If that is the case, then the city, with their limited training in dealing with mental illness, stopped a violent criminal. Undoubtedly they went too far and firing the officers involved is certainly just but charging them with murder, in my opinion, goes too far. These officers were sworn to protect the citizens and since Kelly Thomas had a history of violence, they did what they had to do to ensure he didn't bring harm to anyone.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">What about the parents? Why aren't they being charged? Because their child was an adult it is within their rights to release him but I would suggest that this is a problem with our society. When a couple brings a child into this world, that couple should be responsible for that child. In the case of a child with a mental disability, the parents are responsible for that child for the child's entire life. Ron and Cathy Thomas apparently absolved themselves of that responsibility.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Nearly a year after the death of Kelly Thomas the Fullerton City Council agreed to a settlement of one million dollars with Cathy Thomas. A civil lawsuit by Ron Thomas is still pending. The amount of that suit has not been disclosed. It seems that the parents made out very well in this case. They are rid of their burden and have made a good deal of money to boot. They really should quit while they're ahead.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">One more thing, I keep seeing this photograph of Kelly Thomas in the news stories:</span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgyV7VPCGBSlMvQ80Mu-UVQhCc4CDq-gn93Gs8VcgrWKor2boABB4bYjtVKolN5cIjY7dV8NFEacRUu5iU5k1O7jaM3kW2IsWvZt_tjmrlogYZbFvMnSg_xjhHdH41Jw6ZtYCfyu27fRXhL/s1600/230px-Kelly_Thomas_American.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgyV7VPCGBSlMvQ80Mu-UVQhCc4CDq-gn93Gs8VcgrWKor2boABB4bYjtVKolN5cIjY7dV8NFEacRUu5iU5k1O7jaM3kW2IsWvZt_tjmrlogYZbFvMnSg_xjhHdH41Jw6ZtYCfyu27fRXhL/s1600/230px-Kelly_Thomas_American.jpg" /></span></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">This picture is from 2002, nearly ten years before his death. There is another picture that was taken by police in 2009, two years before his death. That picture is this one:</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj_s_Rlc_Bk33WJLwSVHpZ1WTsHdJ6amSl-ToFrqhyyXx5QMzcZJgy3bNRODGC3dvDL_5CyJK9nPAzo4u1xTVOVo13Zuavh4UoON-Io3BhkjUnboBuAiZKCj0L9vnK-e6IanzQdUKm8-Gx1/s1600/220px-Kelly_Thomas_2009_booking_photo_released_by_Fullerton_PD.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj_s_Rlc_Bk33WJLwSVHpZ1WTsHdJ6amSl-ToFrqhyyXx5QMzcZJgy3bNRODGC3dvDL_5CyJK9nPAzo4u1xTVOVo13Zuavh4UoON-Io3BhkjUnboBuAiZKCj0L9vnK-e6IanzQdUKm8-Gx1/s1600/220px-Kelly_Thomas_2009_booking_photo_released_by_Fullerton_PD.jpg" /></span></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">That paints a much different picture of the man.</span></div>
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Patt Gavinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00608449337622604582noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3665034038545566094.post-68925258249804840612014-01-11T10:02:00.000-08:002014-01-11T10:03:42.200-08:00Governor Christie and the George Washington Bridge<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">By now everyone has probably heard about the problems New Jersey Governor Chris Christie is facing with a certain incident on the George Washington Bridge. For anyone unfamiliar with the story, it happened when Christie was in the middle of his re-election campaign. The George Washington Bridge connects New Jersey with New York City and enters Jersey in the city of Fort Lee. Fort Lee's Mayor, Mark Sokolich is a Democrat (Christie is Republican) and did not support Christie in the election.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial;">A top aide to Christie (Bridget Anne Kelly) sent an email to Port Authority of New York and New Jersey representative David Wildstein, who was appointed to this post by Christie. The email said, "Time for some traffic problems in Fort Lee." Wildstein replied with, "Got it." He then ordered the closure of two of the three traffic lanes going into New York and kept them closed for four days.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial;">Estimates are that as many as 500,000 vehicles were impacted by this action, resulting in millions of dollars in lost wages and time spent in unnecessarily heavy traffic. There is also one death that has potentially been attributed to the closure.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial;">Wildstein has resigned his position and when the cause of the closure was determined, Christie fired Kelly as his aide. In press conferences Christie has maintained that he did not know anything about this incident until long after it was done and even went so far as to personally apologize to Mayor Sokolich for the unfortunate event.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial;">All of this is well and good and on the surface makes it seem that Christie should not be implicated in this, however there is more to it. Christie hired Kelly. He should have either done a more extensive check of her background and moral character or at the very least made sure she understood that he had zero tolerance for such political shenanigans. Christie also appointed Wildstein and he should have ensured that Wildstein was instructed appropriately as well. Obviously, this was not done.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial;">Christie is now considering a run for the office of President of the United States. As President he will be appointing the entire Cabinet of his administration, as well as Ambasaddors and Judges, including possibly Supreme Court Judges. Given his record of hiring and appointments, I have to seriously question whether he is the best person to be given this responsibility. We don't need people like Bridget Kelly and David Wildstein running any part of our country. </span>Patt Gavinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00608449337622604582noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3665034038545566094.post-66442523859825323782013-11-10T16:02:00.001-08:002013-11-10T16:02:54.832-08:00'Tis The Season (to stage a boycott)<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Who would have thought that one day I would suggest a boycott of Hallmark, one of the most Americana of all companies? Yet, that is the case. Hallmark recently introduced a new ornament, which looks like an ugly holiday sweater, with the words from "Deck The Halls" emblazoned upon it. Well, most of the words. Rather than the traditional, "Don we now our gay apparel," Hallmark took it upon themselves to remove the "g" word and instead they created this:</span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhdSf88lx0EEuRpmk1igr4IHywCpkHWUok7DZr3iR2xczP1HTFuVgOwIavHZHEn_rm0GFcqz11oNDpb7kUYMJauDWJaLtI-PEsEqafxMukoEUwLO74QPc_pasWSzDCZvoEyyLCmrYH7rRun/s1600/sweater.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhdSf88lx0EEuRpmk1igr4IHywCpkHWUok7DZr3iR2xczP1HTFuVgOwIavHZHEn_rm0GFcqz11oNDpb7kUYMJauDWJaLtI-PEsEqafxMukoEUwLO74QPc_pasWSzDCZvoEyyLCmrYH7rRun/s320/sweater.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Hallmark has apologized if they offended anyone but when I went to their site, the ornament is still available. Apparently, they don't have any intention of removing it, hence for anyone who supports gay rights (and the right of us to be considered as equals), this company should be boycotted.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I tried to write a review of their product, but their site won't allow it. I've copied it here. The red wording is the error message that I keep receiving. I wonder if it would have gone in had I not given them only one star.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Here is my review from the Hallmark website:</span><br />
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<a data-bvtrack="fieldGroup:Core,fieldName:Rating,eName:SubmitActivity" href="http://reviews.hallmark.com/8532-en_us/product/1295QXG1585/HostedSubmissionFrame.htm?bvdisplaycode=8532-en_us&bvappcode=rr&bvproductid=1295QXG1585&bvpage=http%3A%2F%2Fhallmark.ugc.bazaarvoice.com%2F8532-en_us%2F1295QXG1585%2Fsubmitreview.htm%3Fformat%3Dembedded%26campaignid%3DBV_REVIEW_DISPLAY%26sessionparams%3D__BVSESSIONPARAMS__%26return%3Dhttp%253A%252F%252Fwww.hallmark.com%252Fproducts%252Fgeneral%252Fkeepsake-ornaments%252Fholiday-sweater-1295QXG1585_DK%252F%253FsearchTerm%253Dsweater%26innerreturn%3Dhttp%253A%252F%252Fhallmark.ugc.bazaarvoice.com%252F8532-en_us%252F1295QXG1585%252Freviews.djs%253Fformat%253Dembeddedhtml%26user%3D__USERID__%26authsourcetype%3D__AUTHTYPE__&bvcontenttype=REVIEW_SUBMISSION&bvauthenticateuser=false#" id="star_link_rating_2" name="" style="background-image: url(http://hallmark.ugc.bazaarvoice.com/static/8532-en_us/ratingStars_star.gif); background-position: 0px 0px; background-repeat: no-repeat no-repeat; color: #037bdf; display: block; outline: none 0px; text-decoration: none; width: 21px; zoom: 1;" tabindex="0" title="Fair">2</a></div>
<div class="star star_group_rating star_live" style="background-color: transparent; cursor: pointer; float: left; height: 21px; overflow: hidden; text-indent: -9999em; width: 24px; zoom: 1;">
<a data-bvtrack="fieldGroup:Core,fieldName:Rating,eName:SubmitActivity" href="http://reviews.hallmark.com/8532-en_us/product/1295QXG1585/HostedSubmissionFrame.htm?bvdisplaycode=8532-en_us&bvappcode=rr&bvproductid=1295QXG1585&bvpage=http%3A%2F%2Fhallmark.ugc.bazaarvoice.com%2F8532-en_us%2F1295QXG1585%2Fsubmitreview.htm%3Fformat%3Dembedded%26campaignid%3DBV_REVIEW_DISPLAY%26sessionparams%3D__BVSESSIONPARAMS__%26return%3Dhttp%253A%252F%252Fwww.hallmark.com%252Fproducts%252Fgeneral%252Fkeepsake-ornaments%252Fholiday-sweater-1295QXG1585_DK%252F%253FsearchTerm%253Dsweater%26innerreturn%3Dhttp%253A%252F%252Fhallmark.ugc.bazaarvoice.com%252F8532-en_us%252F1295QXG1585%252Freviews.djs%253Fformat%253Dembeddedhtml%26user%3D__USERID__%26authsourcetype%3D__AUTHTYPE__&bvcontenttype=REVIEW_SUBMISSION&bvauthenticateuser=false#" id="star_link_rating_3" name="" style="background-image: url(http://hallmark.ugc.bazaarvoice.com/static/8532-en_us/ratingStars_star.gif); background-position: 0px 0px; background-repeat: no-repeat no-repeat; color: #037bdf; display: block; outline: none 0px; text-decoration: none; width: 21px; zoom: 1;" tabindex="0" title="Average">3</a></div>
<div class="star star_group_rating star_live" style="background-color: transparent; cursor: pointer; float: left; height: 21px; overflow: hidden; text-indent: -9999em; width: 24px; zoom: 1;">
<a data-bvtrack="fieldGroup:Core,fieldName:Rating,eName:SubmitActivity" href="http://reviews.hallmark.com/8532-en_us/product/1295QXG1585/HostedSubmissionFrame.htm?bvdisplaycode=8532-en_us&bvappcode=rr&bvproductid=1295QXG1585&bvpage=http%3A%2F%2Fhallmark.ugc.bazaarvoice.com%2F8532-en_us%2F1295QXG1585%2Fsubmitreview.htm%3Fformat%3Dembedded%26campaignid%3DBV_REVIEW_DISPLAY%26sessionparams%3D__BVSESSIONPARAMS__%26return%3Dhttp%253A%252F%252Fwww.hallmark.com%252Fproducts%252Fgeneral%252Fkeepsake-ornaments%252Fholiday-sweater-1295QXG1585_DK%252F%253FsearchTerm%253Dsweater%26innerreturn%3Dhttp%253A%252F%252Fhallmark.ugc.bazaarvoice.com%252F8532-en_us%252F1295QXG1585%252Freviews.djs%253Fformat%253Dembeddedhtml%26user%3D__USERID__%26authsourcetype%3D__AUTHTYPE__&bvcontenttype=REVIEW_SUBMISSION&bvauthenticateuser=false#" id="star_link_rating_4" name="" style="background-image: url(http://hallmark.ugc.bazaarvoice.com/static/8532-en_us/ratingStars_star.gif); background-position: 0px 0px; background-repeat: no-repeat no-repeat; color: #037bdf; display: block; outline: none 0px; text-decoration: none; width: 21px; zoom: 1;" tabindex="0" title="Good">4</a></div>
<div class="star star_group_rating star_live" style="background-color: transparent; cursor: pointer; float: left; height: 21px; overflow: hidden; text-indent: -9999em; width: 24px; zoom: 1;">
<a data-bvtrack="fieldGroup:Core,fieldName:Rating,eName:SubmitActivity" href="http://reviews.hallmark.com/8532-en_us/product/1295QXG1585/HostedSubmissionFrame.htm?bvdisplaycode=8532-en_us&bvappcode=rr&bvproductid=1295QXG1585&bvpage=http%3A%2F%2Fhallmark.ugc.bazaarvoice.com%2F8532-en_us%2F1295QXG1585%2Fsubmitreview.htm%3Fformat%3Dembedded%26campaignid%3DBV_REVIEW_DISPLAY%26sessionparams%3D__BVSESSIONPARAMS__%26return%3Dhttp%253A%252F%252Fwww.hallmark.com%252Fproducts%252Fgeneral%252Fkeepsake-ornaments%252Fholiday-sweater-1295QXG1585_DK%252F%253FsearchTerm%253Dsweater%26innerreturn%3Dhttp%253A%252F%252Fhallmark.ugc.bazaarvoice.com%252F8532-en_us%252F1295QXG1585%252Freviews.djs%253Fformat%253Dembeddedhtml%26user%3D__USERID__%26authsourcetype%3D__AUTHTYPE__&bvcontenttype=REVIEW_SUBMISSION&bvauthenticateuser=false#" id="star_link_rating_5" name="" style="background-image: url(http://hallmark.ugc.bazaarvoice.com/static/8532-en_us/ratingStars_star.gif); background-position: 0px 0px; background-repeat: no-repeat no-repeat; color: #037bdf; display: block; outline: none 0px; text-decoration: none; width: 21px; zoom: 1;" tabindex="0" title="Excellent">5</a></div>
<span class="BVRatingStarsLegend" style="display: block; float: left; padding-left: 15px; padding-right: 3px; padding-top: 3px; zoom: 1;"><span class="BVRatingStarsLegendValue" style="font-style: italic;">Poor</span></span></div>
</div>
</div>
<div class="BVField BVFieldRecommend BVRadioField" id="BVFieldRecommendContainerID" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 10px; overflow: hidden; zoom: 1;">
<label class="BVCoreRecommendLabel" for="BVFieldRecommendID" id="BVFieldRecommendLabelID"><span class="BVFieldLabel BVFieldLabelCoreRecommendLabel" style="display: block; float: left; line-height: 1.5; margin-right: 10px; width: 125px;">Would you recommend this product?</span></label><span id="BVFieldRecommendContainerID" style="display: block; margin-top: 20px;"><span class="BVFieldRadioContainer BVFieldRadioContainerYes" style="margin-right: 7px;"><input class="BVFieldRadio" data-bvtrack="fieldGroup:Core,fieldName:Recommend,eName:SubmitActivity" id="BVFieldRecommendYesID" name="recommend" style="bottom: 1px; margin: 0px 2px 0px 0px; position: relative; vertical-align: middle;" type="radio" value="true" /> <label class="BVFieldRadioLabelrecommend" for="BVFieldRecommendYesID" id="BVFieldRecommendYesLabelID">Yes</label></span> <span class="BVFieldRadioContainer BVFieldRadioContainerNo" style="margin-right: 7px;"><input checked="checked" class="BVFieldRadio" data-bvtrack="fieldGroup:Core,fieldName:Recommend,eName:SubmitActivity" id="BVFieldRecommendNoID" name="recommend" style="bottom: 1px; margin: 0px 2px 0px 0px; position: relative; vertical-align: middle;" type="radio" value="false" /> <label class="BVFieldRadioLabelrecommend BVSelected" for="BVFieldRecommendNoID" id="BVFieldRecommendNoLabelID" style="font-weight: bold;">No</label></span></span></div>
<div class="BVSection BVSectionReviewSubmission BVSectionRequired" id="BVSectionReviewSubmissionID" style="border: 0px solid rgb(186, 183, 183); margin-bottom: 10px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-top: 0px; position: relative; zoom: 1;">
<div class="BVMEPopin BVMEPopinReviewSubmissionTips BVMETip BVMEPopinTip" style="position: absolute; right: 280px; top: 2px;">
<span class="BVMEPopinLink BVStateClose" id="LinkPopinepnu8p6l71hmjl2ylprujk94sp"><a href="http://reviews.hallmark.com/8532-en_us/product/1295QXG1585/HostedSubmissionFrame.htm?bvdisplaycode=8532-en_us&bvappcode=rr&bvproductid=1295QXG1585&bvpage=http%3A%2F%2Fhallmark.ugc.bazaarvoice.com%2F8532-en_us%2F1295QXG1585%2Fsubmitreview.htm%3Fformat%3Dembedded%26campaignid%3DBV_REVIEW_DISPLAY%26sessionparams%3D__BVSESSIONPARAMS__%26return%3Dhttp%253A%252F%252Fwww.hallmark.com%252Fproducts%252Fgeneral%252Fkeepsake-ornaments%252Fholiday-sweater-1295QXG1585_DK%252F%253FsearchTerm%253Dsweater%26innerreturn%3Dhttp%253A%252F%252Fhallmark.ugc.bazaarvoice.com%252F8532-en_us%252F1295QXG1585%252Freviews.djs%253Fformat%253Dembeddedhtml%26user%3D__USERID__%26authsourcetype%3D__AUTHTYPE__&bvcontenttype=REVIEW_SUBMISSION&bvauthenticateuser=false" style="background-image: url(http://hallmark.ugc.bazaarvoice.com/static/8532-en_us/iconText.gif); background-position: 0px -153px; background-repeat: no-repeat no-repeat; color: #037bdf; cursor: pointer; display: block; float: right; height: 23px; margin: 0px -250px 0px 0px; outline: none; overflow: hidden; padding: 0px; text-align: left; text-decoration: none; text-indent: -999em; width: 18px; zoom: 1;">Guidelines</a></span></div>
<div class="BVField BVFieldTitle BVTextField BVFieldRequired BVImportantField BVImportantField" id="BVFieldTitleContainerID" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 10px; overflow: hidden; zoom: 1;">
<label class="BVCoreTitleLabel" for="BVFieldTitleID" id="BVFieldTitleLabelID"><span class="BVFieldLabel BVFieldLabelCoreTitleLabel" style="display: block; float: left; line-height: 1.5; margin-right: 10px; padding-top: 4px; width: 125px;"><span class="BVRequiredFieldIndicator BVRequiredFieldIndicatorCoreTitleRequiredIndicator">*</span>Title</span></label><span class="BVInputWrapper"><input class="BVFieldText BVFieldTextCoreTitleTextBox" data-bvtrack="thresholdCrossed.fieldName:Title,thresholdCrossed.fieldGroup:Core,thresholdCrossed.eName:SubmitActivity" id="BVFieldTitleID" maxlength="150" name="title" style="border: 1px solid rgb(127, 130, 134); color: #292f35; line-height: 18px; padding: 6px 3px; width: 400px;" type="text" value="Very Sad" /></span><span class="BVMEFieldHelper" id="BVFieldTitleFieldHelperID" style="display: block; font-size: 11px; font-style: italic; line-height: 1.5; margin-left: 135px; padding: 5px 0px 0px;">Example: Best Purchase Ever</span></div>
<div class="BVField BVFieldReviewtext BVTextAreaField BVFieldRequired" id="BVFieldReviewtextContainerID" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 10px; overflow: hidden; zoom: 1;">
<label class="BVCoreReviewtextLabel" for="BVFieldReviewtextID" id="BVFieldReviewtextLabelID"><span class="BVFieldLabel BVFieldLabelCoreReviewtextLabel" style="display: block; float: left; line-height: 1.5; margin-right: 10px; padding-top: 4px; width: 125px;"><span class="BVRequiredFieldIndicator BVRequiredFieldIndicatorCoreReviewtextRequiredIndicator">*</span>Review</span></label><span class="BVInputWrapper"><textarea class="BVFieldTextArea BVFieldTextAreaCoreReviewtextTextArea" cols="25" data-bvtrack="thresholdCrossed.fieldName:Reviewtext,thresholdCrossed.fieldGroup:Core,thresholdCrossed.eName:SubmitActivity" id="BVFieldReviewtextID" name="reviewtext" rows="10" style="border-color: rgb(127, 130, 134); color: #292f35; line-height: 18px; padding: 6px 3px; width: 400px;"></textarea></span><div class="BVTextCounter BVTextCounterCoreReviewtextCounter" id="BVFieldReviewtextCounterID" style="clear: left; font-size: 11px; font-style: italic; line-height: 1.5; margin-left: 135px; padding: 5px 0px 10px; width: 440px;">
<div class=" BVStateDriven BVStateComplete" style="background-image: url(http://hallmark.ugc.bazaarvoice.com/static/8532-en_us/iconText.gif); background-position: 0px -599px; background-repeat: no-repeat no-repeat; padding: 0px 0px 0px 20px;">
Minimum reached.</div>
</div>
</div>
<div class="BVSpacer BVSpacerReviewSubmission" style="clear: both;">
</div>
</div>
</div>
</div>
<div class="BVSection BVSectionBasicInformation BVSectionRequired" id="BVSectionBasicInformationID" style="border-color: rgb(186, 183, 183); border-style: solid; border-width: 0px 0px 1px; color: #292f35; font-family: proxima-nova, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px; margin-bottom: 10px; padding-bottom: 15px; position: relative; zoom: 1;">
<div class="BVSectionHeader BVHeader" style="padding: 0px 0px 15px; zoom: 1;">
<span class="BVMESectionHeader" style="font-size: 18px; line-height: 1.5;">Tell us about you</span></div>
<div class="BVSectionBody BVBody" style="background-color: white; clear: both;">
<div class="BVField BVFieldUsernickname BVTextField BVFieldRequired BVFieldError" id="BVFieldUsernicknameContainerID" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 10px; overflow: hidden; zoom: 1;">
<label class="BVCoreUsernicknameLabel" for="BVFieldUsernicknameID" id="BVFieldUsernicknameLabelID"><span class="BVFieldLabel BVFieldLabelCoreUsernicknameLabel" style="color: #ed1c24; display: block; float: left; line-height: 1.5; margin-right: 10px; padding-top: 4px; width: 125px;"><span class="BVRequiredFieldIndicator BVRequiredFieldIndicatorCoreUsernicknameRequiredIndicator">*</span>Create a nickname</span></label><span class="BVInputWrapper"><input class="BVFieldText BVFieldTextCoreUsernicknameTextBox BVError" data-bvtrack="thresholdCrossed.fieldName:Usernickname,thresholdCrossed.fieldGroup:Core,thresholdCrossed.eName:SubmitActivity" id="BVFieldUsernicknameID" maxlength="25" name="usernickname" style="border: 1px solid rgb(237, 28, 36); color: #292f35; font-weight: bold; line-height: 18px; padding: 6px 3px 5px; width: 400px;" type="text" value="Pumpkin" /></span><span class="BVMEFieldHelper" id="BVFieldUsernicknameFieldHelperID" style="display: block; font-size: 11px; font-style: italic; line-height: 1.5; margin-left: 135px; padding: 5px 0px 0px;">To protect your privacy, do not use your full name or email address.</span></div>
<div class="BVField BVFieldUserlocation BVTextField" id="BVFieldUserlocationContainerID" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 10px; overflow: hidden; zoom: 1;">
<label for="BVFieldUserlocationID" id="BVFieldUserlocationLabelID"><span class="BVFieldLabel" style="display: block; float: left; line-height: 1.5; margin-right: 10px; padding-top: 4px; width: 125px;">Location</span></label><span class="BVInputWrapper"><input aria-autocomplete="list" aria-haspopup="true" autocomplete="off" class="BVFieldText BVFieldTextCoreUserlocationTextBox ui-autocomplete-input" data-bvtrack="thresholdCrossed.fieldName:Userlocation,thresholdCrossed.fieldGroup:Core,thresholdCrossed.eName:SubmitActivity" id="BVFieldUserlocationID" maxlength="50" name="userlocation" role="textbox" style="border: 1px solid rgb(127, 130, 134); color: #292f35; line-height: 18px; padding: 6px 3px; width: 400px;" type="text" value="Los Angeles, CA" /></span><span class="BVMEFieldHelper" id="BVFieldUserlocationFieldHelperID" style="display: block; font-size: 11px; font-style: italic; line-height: 1.5; margin-left: 135px; padding: 5px 0px 0px;">Example: New York, NY</span></div>
<div class="BVField BVFieldAge BVFieldContextDataGroup BVSelectField" id="BVFieldContextdatavalueAgeContainerID" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 10px; overflow: hidden; zoom: 1;">
<label class="BVContextDataAgeLabel" for="BVFieldContextdatavalueAgeID" id="BVFieldContextdatavalueAgeLabelID"><span class="BVFieldLabel BVFieldLabelContextDataAgeLabel" style="display: block; float: left; line-height: 1.5; margin-right: 10px; width: 125px;">Age</span></label><select class="BVFieldSelect BVFieldSelectContextDataAgeDropDown" data-bvtrack="fieldGroup:ContextData,fieldName:Age,eName:SubmitActivity" id="BVFieldContextdatavalueAgeID" name="contextdatavalue_Age" size="1" style="padding: 1px;"> <option value=""></option> <option value="18-34yrs">18-34 yrs</option> <option value="35-44yrs">35-44 yrs</option> <option selected="selected" value="45-64yrs">45-64 yrs</option> <option value="65+yrs">65+ yrs</option> </select></div>
<div class="BVField BVFieldGender BVFieldContextDataGroup BVSelectField" id="BVFieldContextdatavalueGenderContainerID" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 10px; overflow: hidden; zoom: 1;">
<label class="BVContextDataGenderLabel" for="BVFieldContextdatavalueGenderID" id="BVFieldContextdatavalueGenderLabelID"><span class="BVFieldLabel BVFieldLabelContextDataGenderLabel" style="display: block; float: left; line-height: 1.5; margin-right: 10px; width: 125px;">Gender</span></label><select class="BVFieldSelect BVFieldSelectContextDataGenderDropDown" data-bvtrack="fieldGroup:ContextData,fieldName:Gender,eName:SubmitActivity" id="BVFieldContextdatavalueGenderID" name="contextdatavalue_Gender" size="1" style="padding: 1px;"> <option value=""></option> <option value="Female">Female</option> <option selected="selected" value="Male">Male</option> </select></div>
<div class="BVField BVFieldMaritalStatus BVFieldContextDataGroup BVSelectField" id="BVFieldContextdatavalueMaritalStatusContainerID" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 10px; overflow: hidden; zoom: 1;">
<label class="BVContextDataMaritalStatusLabel" for="BVFieldContextdatavalueMaritalStatusID" id="BVFieldContextdatavalueMaritalStatusLabelID"><span class="BVFieldLabel BVFieldLabelContextDataMaritalStatusLabel" style="display: block; float: left; line-height: 1.5; margin-right: 10px; width: 125px;">Marital status</span></label><select class="BVFieldSelect BVFieldSelectContextDataMaritalStatusDropDown" data-bvtrack="fieldGroup:ContextData,fieldName:MaritalStatus,eName:SubmitActivity" id="BVFieldContextdatavalueMaritalStatusID" name="contextdatavalue_MaritalStatus" size="1" style="padding: 1px;"> <option value=""></option> <option value="Married">Married</option> <option selected="selected" value="Single">Single</option> <option value="Other">Other</option> </select></div>
<div class="BVField BVFieldHaveChildren BVFieldContextDataGroup BVSelectField" id="BVFieldContextdatavalueHaveChildrenContainerID" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 10px; overflow: hidden; zoom: 1;">
<label class="BVContextDataHaveChildrenLabel" for="BVFieldContextdatavalueHaveChildrenID" id="BVFieldContextdatavalueHaveChildrenLabelID"><span class="BVFieldLabel BVFieldLabelContextDataHaveChildrenLabel" style="display: block; float: left; line-height: 1.5; margin-right: 10px; width: 125px;">Do you have kids?</span></label><select class="BVFieldSelect BVFieldSelectContextDataHaveChildrenDropDown" data-bvtrack="fieldGroup:ContextData,fieldName:HaveChildren,eName:SubmitActivity" id="BVFieldContextdatavalueHaveChildrenID" name="contextdatavalue_HaveChildren" size="1" style="padding: 1px;"> <option value=""></option> <option value="Yes">Yes</option> <option selected="selected" value="No">No</option> </select></div>
<div class="BVField BVFieldGoldCrownStore BVFieldContextDataGroup BVSelectField" id="BVFieldContextdatavalueGoldCrownStoreContainerID" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 10px; overflow: hidden; zoom: 1;">
<label class="BVContextDataGoldCrownStoreLabel" for="BVFieldContextdatavalueGoldCrownStoreID" id="BVFieldContextdatavalueGoldCrownStoreLabelID"><span class="BVFieldLabel BVFieldLabelContextDataGoldCrownStoreLabel" style="display: block; float: left; line-height: 1.5; margin-right: 10px; width: 125px;">How often do you visit a Hallmark Gold Crown store?</span></label><select class="BVFieldSelect BVFieldSelectContextDataGoldCrownStoreDropDown" data-bvtrack="fieldGroup:ContextData,fieldName:GoldCrownStore,eName:SubmitActivity" id="BVFieldContextdatavalueGoldCrownStoreID" name="contextdatavalue_GoldCrownStore" size="1" style="margin-top: 18px; padding: 1px;"> <option value=""></option> <option value="Never">Never</option> <option selected="selected" value="1-5timesyear">1-5 times a year</option> <option value="5-10timesyear">5-10 times a year</option> <option value="10">10+ times a year</option> </select></div>
<div class="BVField BVFieldUseremailalerts BVCheckboxField" id="BVFieldUseremailalertsContainerID" style="clear: left; margin: 0px 0px 15px 135px; overflow: hidden; zoom: 1;">
<input checked="checked" class="BVFieldCheckbox" id="BVFieldUseremailalertsID" name="useremailalerts" style="bottom: 1px; margin: 0px 2px 0px 0px; position: relative; vertical-align: middle;" type="checkbox" value="true" /> <label for="BVFieldUseremailalertsID" id="BVFieldUseremailalertsLabelID"><span class="BVFieldLabel" style="display: inline; float: none; margin-right: 10px; padding-bottom: 0px; width: 125px;">Please send me an email when my review is posted.</span></label></div>
<div class="BVField BVFieldSendemailoncomment BVCheckboxField" id="BVFieldSendemailoncommentContainerID" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: 135px; overflow: hidden; zoom: 1;">
<input checked="checked" class="BVFieldCheckbox" id="BVFieldSendemailoncommentID" name="sendemailoncomment" style="bottom: 1px; margin: 0px 2px 0px 0px; position: relative; vertical-align: middle;" type="checkbox" value="true" /> <label for="BVFieldSendemailoncommentID" id="BVFieldSendemailoncommentLabelID"><span class="BVFieldLabel" style="display: inline; float: none; margin-right: 10px; padding-bottom: 0px; width: 125px;">Please send me an email when someone comments on my review.</span></label></div>
<div class="BVField BVFieldUseremail BVTextField BVFieldRequired" id="BVFieldUseremailContainerID" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 10px; overflow: hidden; zoom: 1;">
<label for="BVFieldUseremailID" id="BVFieldUseremailLabelID"><span class="BVFieldLabel" style="display: block; float: left; line-height: 1.5; margin-right: 10px; padding-top: 4px; width: 125px;">Your email<span class="BVRequiredFieldIndicator BVRequiredFieldIndicatorCoreUseremailRequiredIndicator">*</span></span></label><span class="BVInputWrapper"><input class="BVFieldText BVFieldTextCoreUseremailTextBox" data-bvtrack="thresholdCrossed.fieldName:Useremail,thresholdCrossed.fieldGroup:Core,thresholdCrossed.eName:SubmitActivity" id="BVFieldUseremailID" maxlength="255" name="useremail" style="border: 1px solid rgb(127, 130, 134); color: #292f35; line-height: 18px; padding: 6px 3px; width: 400px;" type="text" value="pattgavin@mac.com" /></span><span class="BVMEFieldHelper" id="BVFieldUseremailFieldHelperID" style="display: block; font-size: 11px; font-style: italic; line-height: 1.5; margin-left: 135px; padding: 5px 0px 0px;">We will ONLY use your email to notify you in regards to your submission.</span></div>
</div>
</div>
<div class="BVSection BVSectionNetPromoter" id="BVSectionNetPromoterID" style="border-color: rgb(186, 183, 183); border-style: solid; border-width: 0px 0px 1px; color: #292f35; font-family: proxima-nova, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px; margin-bottom: 0px; padding-bottom: 10px; position: relative; zoom: 1;">
<div class="BVSectionHeader BVHeader" style="padding: 0px 0px 15px; zoom: 1;">
<span class="BVMESectionHeader" style="font-size: 18px; line-height: 1.5;">How are we doing? Would you recommend Hallmark products to a friend?</span></div>
<div class="BVSectionBody BVBody" style="background-color: white; clear: both;">
<div class="BVField BVFieldNetpromoterscore BVRadioField" id="BVFieldNetpromoterscoreContainerID" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 10px; overflow: hidden; zoom: 1;">
<label class="BVCoreNetpromoterscoreLabel" for="BVFieldNetpromoterscoreID" id="BVFieldNetpromoterscoreLabelID"><span class="BVFieldLabel BVFieldLabelCoreNetpromoterscoreLabel" style="display: block; float: left; line-height: 1.5; margin-right: 10px; width: 125px;">Would you recommend Hallmark to a friend?</span></label><div class="BVFieldNetPromoterScoreRadioLegendContainer" id="BVDivFieldNetPromoterScoreRadioLegendContainerID" style="float: left; width: 435px;">
<span id="BVFieldNetpromoterscoreContainerID" style="display: block;"><span class="BVFieldRadioContainer BVFieldRadioContainer0" style="display: block; float: left; margin: 0px; width: 39px;"><label class="BVFieldRadioLabelnetpromoterscore BVSelected" for="BVFieldNetpromoterscore0ID" id="BVFieldNetpromoterscore0LabelID" style="display: block; font-weight: bold; margin: 2px 0px; padding-left: 3px;">0</label><input checked="checked" class="BVFieldRadio" id="BVFieldNetpromoterscore0ID" name="netpromoterscore" style="bottom: 1px; margin: 2px 0px; position: relative; vertical-align: middle;" type="radio" value="0" /></span><span class="BVFieldRadioContainer BVFieldRadioContainer1" style="display: block; float: left; margin: 0px; width: 39px;"><label class="BVFieldRadioLabelnetpromoterscore" for="BVFieldNetpromoterscore1ID" id="BVFieldNetpromoterscore1LabelID" style="display: block; margin: 2px 0px; padding-left: 3px;">1</label><input class="BVFieldRadio" id="BVFieldNetpromoterscore1ID" name="netpromoterscore" style="bottom: 1px; 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margin: 2px 0px; position: relative; vertical-align: middle;" type="radio" value="5" /></span><span class="BVFieldRadioContainer BVFieldRadioContainer6" style="display: block; float: left; margin: 0px; width: 39px;"><label class="BVFieldRadioLabelnetpromoterscore" for="BVFieldNetpromoterscore6ID" id="BVFieldNetpromoterscore6LabelID" style="display: block; margin: 2px 0px; padding-left: 3px;">6</label><input class="BVFieldRadio" id="BVFieldNetpromoterscore6ID" name="netpromoterscore" style="bottom: 1px; margin: 2px 0px; position: relative; vertical-align: middle;" type="radio" value="6" /></span><span class="BVFieldRadioContainer BVFieldRadioContainer7" style="display: block; float: left; margin: 0px; width: 39px;"><label class="BVFieldRadioLabelnetpromoterscore" for="BVFieldNetpromoterscore7ID" id="BVFieldNetpromoterscore7LabelID" style="display: block; margin: 2px 0px; padding-left: 3px;">7</label><input class="BVFieldRadio" id="BVFieldNetpromoterscore7ID" name="netpromoterscore" style="bottom: 1px; margin: 2px 0px; position: relative; vertical-align: middle;" type="radio" value="7" /></span><span class="BVFieldRadioContainer BVFieldRadioContainer8" style="display: block; float: left; margin: 0px; width: 39px;"><label class="BVFieldRadioLabelnetpromoterscore" for="BVFieldNetpromoterscore8ID" id="BVFieldNetpromoterscore8LabelID" style="display: block; margin: 2px 0px; padding-left: 3px;">8</label><input class="BVFieldRadio" id="BVFieldNetpromoterscore8ID" name="netpromoterscore" style="bottom: 1px; margin: 2px 0px; position: relative; vertical-align: middle;" type="radio" value="8" /></span><span class="BVFieldRadioContainer BVFieldRadioContainer9" style="display: block; float: left; margin: 0px; width: 39px;"><label class="BVFieldRadioLabelnetpromoterscore" for="BVFieldNetpromoterscore9ID" id="BVFieldNetpromoterscore9LabelID" style="display: block; margin: 2px 0px; padding-left: 3px;">9</label><input class="BVFieldRadio" id="BVFieldNetpromoterscore9ID" name="netpromoterscore" style="bottom: 1px; 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Patt Gavinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00608449337622604582noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3665034038545566094.post-3769618108073311512013-10-17T16:51:00.000-07:002013-10-17T16:51:12.833-07:00No Winners In A Government Shutdown<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">There aren't any winners in the recent shutdown of the government but there certainly are losers. Chief among them is John Boehner and the Republicans in the House of Representatives followed closely by the American people.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">John Boehner has worked for several years on defunding or derailing the Affordable Care Act (also known as "Obamacare"). He has brought up a vote in the House more than 40 times to halt it in one way or another and on each of these occasions the Senate has refused to vote on it. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">For anyone who doesn't know how the process works, in order to make a law the legislation is brought to the floor of both houses and both houses must agree on it. Once an agreement is reached, it is sent to the president for his (hopefully soon her) signature. If the president doesn't agree with it, he has the power to veto it.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">In the case of the Affordable Care Act, the Senate has repeatedly stated that it will not vote on any measure that defunds, delays or derails this law. Yet Boehner, with great zeal at wasting tax dollars wherever and whenever he can, continues to bring up useless legislation and force the House to vote. And they have. And it passes and goes to the Senate. And they lose each time because the Senate does what they said they would do.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">So, Boehner once again brought up a measure that the Senate told him they would not vote on. He once again saw the measure passed and sent on to the Senate, which threw it in the trash (where it belonged) and Boehner effectively shut down the United States government.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">President Obama, in true presidential fashion, refused to cave in to the demands of the Republicans in the House. Good move on his part. He allowed the government to shut down but in reality, much of the government remained up and running. We still got our mail, our military was still funded, our elected officials were still working. For the majority of Americans, we really didn't see much of a difference.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Then came the vote on the debt ceiling. If this were not raised the United States would default on our debt and an international crisis would be on the hands of the Republicans. We knew it, they knew it, the president knew it and the Republicans had to do something. Sadly for them, there wasn't anything they could do but go along with the Democrats and pass the legislation that the Senate sent to them. Which they did.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Now the Republicans have lost face with the American people. They were responsible for the government shutdown, and hopefully, the American people will remember that the next time they go to the polls.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">The American people have lost in this latest battle as well. Our tax dollars just paid for two weeks of vacation for the employees of the government who were furloughed because of Boehner's ineptitude and gross incompetence.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I'm thinking that shutting down the government in an effort to change legislation should be seen as treason and Boehner should be dealt with accordingly.</span>Patt Gavinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00608449337622604582noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3665034038545566094.post-57912212079807188182013-10-03T16:37:00.000-07:002013-10-03T17:04:43.838-07:00Campaign Reform<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">There are several issues currently gripping our country that the majority of Americans oppose, yet our elected officials are not listening. The main reason they don't listen is because their supporters, although in the minority, contribute large sums of money to their campaigns and therefore, the politicians listen to them over their constituents. To eradicate this discrepancy in our system, I propose the following campaign reform:</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">All campaign contributions are limited to $100.00 per contributor per candidate per election. This means that everyone, including the candidate themselves, can only contribute $100. This would not limit the number of contributions, only the amount.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">In other words, in the next election, I would be allowed to contribute $100 to a senator, $100 to a congressman, $100 to a county official, $100 to a mayor and so on. Every election would start over but all contributions would be limited to $100.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">For PACs (Political Action Committees) and corporations, the same $100 limit would apply, which is only fitting given that the United States Supreme Court has ruled that corporations are people too.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">The second would deal with anyone who wishes to spend more than $100. The campaign reform would limit the amount that can be contributed to a campaign but that would not stop someone from putting up their own billboard. This cannot be stopped as to stop it would be to violate their right to free speech. It can, however, be regulated.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Any advertisement not paid for by the candidate's campaign fund must have the following disclaimer on it: "This advertisement is neither paid for nor endorsed by any politician or their campaign but is wholly funded by XXX." "XXX" would obviously be the name of the person or organization who foots the bill. Additionally, this disclaimer must appear prominently on the ad using a font twice the size of the largest font used in the ad. For radio and television ads, the disclaimer must be read at a normal reading speed and at the same volume as the rest of the ad at least three times.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">This is very simple reform but it would take back our government from the special interests who fund the politicians. One additional stipulation would probably not be possible to be made into a law but could be an agreement. Only vote for candidates who agree that they will NOT meet with lobbyists. They should be dealing with their constituents, not with the special interests.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">What do you think? Comments are always welcome.</span>Patt Gavinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00608449337622604582noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3665034038545566094.post-28861565894092697852013-08-28T17:54:00.000-07:002013-08-28T17:54:12.426-07:00I Have A Dream (thank you, Martin Luther King, Jr.)Today is the 50th Anniversary of Martin Luther King Jr's most famous speech, given at the historic March on Washington on August 28, 1963. With the understanding that imitation is the sincerest form of flattery, I will paraphrase the good doctor. <br />
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Now 50 years later, we must face the tragic fact that the Negro is still not free. Fifty years later, the life of the Negro is still sadly crippled by the manacles of segregation and the chains of discrimination. Fifty years later, the Negro lives on a lonely island of poverty in the midst of a vast ocean of material prosperity. Fifty years later, the Negro is still languishing in the corners of American society and finds himself an exile in his own land. <br />
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The dream has not come true. Fifty years later, this nation has not risen up and lived out the true meaning of its creed - we hold these truths to be self-evident: that all men are created equal. <br />
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Fifty years later on the red hills of Georgia the sons of former slaves and the sons of former slave-owners do not sit down together at a table of brotherhood. <br />
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Fifty years later the state of Mississippi, a desert state, sweltering with the heat of injustice and oppression, has not been transformed into an oasis of freedom and justice. <br />
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And fifty years later, Dr. King's four little children do not live in a nation where they are not judged by the color of their skin but by the content of their character. <br />
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The dream has not come true for many Americans. Freedom does not ring but we must be the change in our lifetime. And when this happens, when we allow freedom to ring, when we let it ring from every village and every hamlet, from every state and every city, we will be able to speed up that day when all of God's children, black men and white men, Jews and Gentiles, Protestants and Catholics, will be able to join hands and sing in the words of the old Negro spiritual: "Free at last! Free at last! thank God Almighty, we are free at last!"Patt Gavinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00608449337622604582noreply@blogger.com0