Religious Freedom and the Pledge of Allegiance

I understand this cartoon, but I also understand that Jehovah's Witnesses don't pledge because they feel that it is Blasphemy to pledge allegiance to anything other than allegiance to GOD. They consider the flag an idol and this ceremony idolatry. That should be their right. I am not a Jehovah Witness, nor do I enjoy them knocking on my door, but I respect their right. The same goes for prayer in school. Can you imagine how Jewish kids felt all those years before it was stopped? Each to his own. While a soldier is honorable for serving our country, he is also protecting religious freedom!

Global Frackdown Day September 22, 2012

Please come along and support this campaign next weekend in Carrick-on-Shannon, Sat, Sept 22, 1pm - this is a global day of action against fracking, trad musicians, boats on the shannon and a message to the frackers and Enda!
 http://www.facebook.com/gaslandmovie

More Disgusting Bigotry Demeaning Our President!

The person(s) responsible for this bumper sticker should be arrested! It is so vile, it makes me feel sick!

Occupy The White House

Peace Is Possible!

When you choose your elected officials this statement by Albert Einstein should be considered the most important reason behind your actions far above taxes, medicare, equal rights, whatever:

 
"I know not with what weapons World War III will

 be fought, but World War IV will be fought with sticks and stones."

Please do not allow hatred, fear, and greed be the motive of your vote. I want my grand-kids to live in a Peaceful nation, and a Peaceful world.

A Biblical Message To the "Christian Right" and their US Presidential Campaign Message

If you believe in the Bible as the living word, or just a book of wisdom inspired by Divine Providence the following message answers all the questions that are put forth by the self righteous "Christian Right".  I need not add my own interpretation, the message is very clear: 

The Gospel According To Luke:

Chapter 18

1 And he spake a parable unto them to this end, that men ought always to pray, and not to faint;
2 Saying, There was in a city a judge, which feared not God, neither regarded man:
3 And there was a widow in that city; and she came unto him, saying, Avenge me of mine adversary.
4 And he would not for a while: but afterward he said within himself, Though I fear not God, nor regard man;
5 Yet because this widow troubleth me, I will avenge her, lest by her continual coming she weary me.
6 And the Lord said, Hear what the unjust judge saith.
7 And shall not God avenge his own elect, which cry day and night unto him, though he bear long with them?

Note

• If Jesus was the Son of God, why did He call Himself the Son of Man? Answer

8 I tell you that he will avenge them speedily. Nevertheless when the Son of man cometh, shall he find faith on the earth?
9 And he spake this parable unto certain which trusted in themselves that they were righteous, and despised others:
10 Two men went up into the temple to pray; the one a Pharisee, and the other a publican.
11 The Pharisee stood and prayed thus with himself, God, I thank thee, that I am not as other men are, extortioners, unjust, adulterers, or even as this publican.
12 I fast twice in the week, I give tithes of all that I possess.
13 And the publican, standing afar off, would not lift up so much as his eyes unto heaven, but smote upon his breast, saying, God be merciful to me a sinner.
14 I tell you, this man went down to his house justified rather than the other: for every one that exalteth himself shall be abased; and he that humbleth himself shall be exalted.
15 And they brought unto him also infants, that he would touch them: but when his disciples saw it, they rebuked them.
16 But Jesus called them unto him, and said, Suffer little children to come unto me, and forbid them not: for of such is the kingdom of God.
17 Verily I say unto you, Whosoever shall not receive the kingdom of God as a little child shall in no wise enter therein.
18 And a certain ruler asked him, saying, Good Master, what shall I do to inherit eternal life?
19 And Jesus said unto him, Why callest thou me good? none is good, save one, that is, God.
20 Thou knowest the commandments, Do not commit adultery, Do not kill, Do not steal, Do not bear false witness, Honour thy father and thy mother.
21 And he said, All these have I kept from my youth up.
22 Now when Jesus heard these things, he said unto him, Yet lackest thou one thing: sell all that thou hast, and distribute unto the poor, and thou shalt have treasure in heaven: and come, follow me.
23 And when he heard this, he was very sorrowful: for he was very rich.
24 And when Jesus saw that he was very sorrowful, he said, How hardly shall they that have riches enter into the kingdom of God!
25 For it is easier for a camel to go through a needle's eye, than for a rich man to enter into the kingdom of God.
26 And they that heard it said, Who then can be saved?
27 And he said, The things which are impossible with men are possible with God.
28 Then Peter said, Lo, we have left all, and followed thee.
29 And he said unto them, Verily I say unto you, There is no man that hath left house, or parents, or brethren, or wife, or children, for the kingdom of God's sake,
30 Who shall not receive manifold more in this present time, and in the world to come life everlasting.
31 Then he took unto him the twelve, and said unto them, Behold, we go up to Jerusalem, and all things that are written by the prophets concerning the Son of man shall be accomplished.
32 For he shall be delivered unto the Gentiles, and shall be mocked, and spitefully entreated, and spitted on:
33 And they shall scourge him, and put him to death: and the third day he shall rise again.
34 And they understood none of these things: and this saying was hid from them, neither knew they the things which were spoken.
35 And it came to pass, that as he was come nigh unto Jericho, a certain blind man sat by the way side begging:
36 And hearing the multitude pass by, he asked what it meant.
37 And they told him, that Jesus of Nazareth passeth by.
38 And he cried, saying, Jesus, thou Son of David, have mercy on me.
39 And they which went before rebuked him, that he should hold his peace: but he cried so much the more, Thou Son of David, have mercy on me.
40 And Jesus stood, and commanded him to be brought unto him: and when he was come near, he asked him,
41 Saying, What wilt thou that I shall do unto thee? And he said, Lord, that I may receive my sight.
42 And Jesus said unto him, Receive thy sight: thy faith hath saved thee.
43 And immediately he received his sight, and followed him, glorifying God: and all the people, when they saw it, gave praise unto God.

When you vote in November and you consider yourself a Christian or simply one who believes that Jesus Christ was a wise prophet please keep the above message in mind.  We are not here to judge but to uplift each other, especially the poor, the infirmed, and those who have lost faith.  

Happy 41st Anniversary to my sister Irene and her husband Allen!

Happy Anniversary to my sister Irene and her husband Allen who have been married for 41 years today. If I were wealthy I would have bought you guys a trip to your beloved Rocky Mountains! But since I'm not, here is a card that I created for the both of you. I chose John Denver's "Song For All Lovers" for the words.

  The year 1971, when a wedding reception was held in a local social hall not a huge country club, when it cost a hundred or so dollars at the most and didn't put the family into debt.  When family members brought their signature dish to add to the homemade culinary feast! The wedding cake came from the now defunct New York Italian Bakery that was on South Main Street in Phillipsburg.  They were married at the First Lutheran Church in Stewartsville,NJ, and the reception was at the Slovak American social club that sat between Prospect and Lincoln Streets in Phillipsburg. It is bitter sweet to look at the above photo of my parents and Allen's parents that no longer bless us with their physical presence, but will forever remain to guide us and live within our hearts. Wonderful memories of that blessed day! Wishing Irene and Allen many more!