Deep Something

A Little Religousity Served Up with Your Healthcare

August 28, 2008September 29, 2018 B. John 360 Views 0 Comments healthcare, Department of Health and Human Services, cultural traditions, religous beliefs, Plan B. Abortion, Stem Cell Research

It seems the patients have once again taken over the asylum that is the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. HHS is reviewing a draft regulation that would deny federal funding to any hospital, clinic, health plan or other entity that does not accommodate employees who want to opt out of participating in care that runs counter to their personal convictions, including providing birth-control pills, IUDs and the Plan B emergency contraceptive.

Presidency War Featured Politics Congress Constitution

War Powers

August 27, 2008 B. John 350 Views 0 Comments James Madison, Christian Science Monitor, Mickey Edwards, David Skaggs, Baker-Christopher commission, War Powers Act

I am certain I have previously discussed the idea that the President of the United States does NOT have the power to take the United States to war. That authority was reserved expressly for the Congress by the founders of this country. The Constitution is quite clear on this point, but that authority has been usurped by several Presidents in their over-reach. I usually find it best to defer to the founders in these matters, and when checking we find that James Madison once observed, “In no part of the constitution is more wisdom to be found than in the clause which confides the question of war or peace to the legislature, and not to the executive department… [T]he temptation would be too great for any one man.”

Politics Election

Democratic Ad for N.C. Senate Race

August 26, 2008 B. John 390 Views 1 Comment Democratic Senatorial Campaign Committee, senate, republican, Kay Hagan, Liddy Dole, Elizabeth Dole, DSCC

Kay Hagan is a Democrat running against Elizabeth Dole for a U.S. Senate seat from North Carolina. After trailing by as much as 14 points, Hagan has now pulled slightly ahead of Dole in a PPP Poll. This gain appears to come largely as a result of an ad being run by the Democratic Senatorial Campaign Committee. It is a great ad.

Right Wingnuts Featured Religion Science Society Gay Issues

Nothing Wrong With a Little Hating in Ponce De Leon

August 26, 2008September 29, 2018 B. John 364 Views 0 Comments Principal, Lesbian, Holmes County, Ponce De Leon, David Davis, Steve Griffin, high school, florida

Some months back, a high school senior in Holmes County, Florida (up in the Pan Handle) went to her high

Business Economy Featured Technology

Storing Languages Forever

August 25, 2008September 29, 2018 B. John 315 Views 0 Comments Long Now Foundation, LOCKS, Rosetta Stone, digital storage, Preservation, paper, Microfilm, Rosetta Disk, Microfiche, Data, Archive, Archiving, Comet 67P, European Space Agency, Language

As a records manager by trade (and having worked in the government sector for a bit), I have had to learn a thing or two about preservation. An article concerning the use some special eye readable technologies to store thousands of pages in a durable media to last thousands caught my eye, and I found it to be fascinating project. The Long Now Foundation has undertaken a project to try to preserve language for 1,000- 10,000 years, and has come up with a cool way to do that. It’s called a Rosetta Disk.

General Culture Society

Ashes Piling Up at Funeral Homes

August 22, 2008 B. John 289 Views 0 Comments funerals, Funeral Homes, Ashes, Cremation

I’ve occasionally talked about my previous career working in the funeral service. Given that, any article about funeral homes tends to catch my eye, as did this AP report about unclaimed cremation ashes at funeral homes.

Presidency Religion Science Right Wingnuts Featured Politics Election

The Price Paid for Power

August 21, 2008September 29, 2018 B. John 467 Views 0 Comments torture, Dick Cheney, Mother Teresa, War crimes, Enhanced Interrogation, John McCain, Cindy McCain, george bush

John McCain’s military service deserves the thanks and respect of the American people, especially given his time spent as a POW in Vietnam. However, the over-use of this status for political gain becomes laughable after a while. It seems to be used to explain everything. Problem is, according to George Bush and the Military Commisions Act voted for by McCain, the techniques used on McCain while a POW are merely, “enhanced interrogation techniques.” Who wouldda thunk it?

Politics Election Presidency Religion Science Right Wingnuts

Now How Does Dobson Handle This One

August 21, 2008September 29, 2018 B. John 392 Views 1 Comment focus on the family, james dobson, John McCain

It’s all that uncommon for me to, as my grandfather might say, let my mouth overload my ass. By that he meant saying things I’d regret later on. While I seem to have a knack for it, James Dobson seems to have perfected the art. To wit, his comments about John McCain from 2000.

Presidency Featured Politics Congress Constitution

Justice Department Continues the Assault on Justice

August 20, 2008 B. John 410 Views 0 Comments Attorney General, FBI, senate, Michael Mukasey, Attorney General Guidelines, Senators

Most likely it will come as no surprise that the Bush Administration’s Justice Department continues it’s assault on freedom and the Constitution. According to a report in the Washington Post, the Justice Department is about to issue guidelines for starting FBI investigations that a number of U.S. Senators believe could lead to innocent Americans being spied upon by government agents or informants, “all without any basis for suspicion.”

Science General Environment Featured Weather Places Tampa

Was Fay a Fizzle?

August 20, 2008September 29, 2018 B. John 383 Views 0 Comments hurricane, NOAA, National Hurricane Center, Fay

Tropical Storm Fay never quite made it to hurricane strength, but she has definitely dumped a lot of water on some parts of the state, and has caused some power outages and some severe flooding. She certainly gave forecasters a fit.

General Environment Weather Places Tampa Science

Fay On The Way – 1

August 18, 2008September 29, 2018 B. John 394 Views 0 Comments Tropical Storm, hurricanes, Fay, Ft. Meyers

Tropical Storm Fay has crossed over Cuba, and is making the turn more toward the north, and heading toward Florida (most likely). I thought I’d give you an update on the storm and my preparations so far.

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