Amnesty

am·nes·ty /am-nuh-stee/ noun, plural -ties, verb, -tied, -ty·ing.
–noun

1. a general pardon for offenses, esp. political offenses, against a government, often granted before any trial or conviction.
2. Law. an act of forgiveness for past offenses, esp. to a class of persons as a whole.
3. a forgetting or overlooking of any past offense.

–verb (used with object)

4. to grant amnesty to; pardon.

The way I see it, people who are here illegally should have one of two options: pay for the crime or leave. Anything short of that seems to me to perfectly fit the definition of amnesty. So, whatever else the President may think this bill is, it is amnesty. This is not a difficult concept.

See, when people come to America, we expect it to be in order to become Americans. If they are only here for a visit, that is fine, too -- as long as they are here legally. If people are here illegally, then they might need amnesty. Unfortunately, that also involves jumping ahead of other people who are trying to do the right thing. Apparently our politicians could not care less about those who are trying to come into the country legally. This whole measure is drafted to cater to the 12 million illegal aliens that it is impossible to round up.

I'm done with the lot of them, except for my two Senators and my representative.

Global Warming Test

I was recently referred to a Global Warming Test.  You might want to try it for yourself.

Another Roll Call Vote

While it is interesting to hear what candidates say, it is often more instructive to watch what they do.  Case in point is Senator John McCain, the man who would be President.  Just two days ago, he participated in a vote FOR embryonic stem cell research.  Here is the text of the legislation (S. 5; Stem Cell Research Enhancement Act of 2007) and the results of the roll call vote (63-34), mostly Democrats for and Republicans against.  I'll note the exceptions below.

 

First a summary:

S.5
Title: A bill to amend the Public Health Service Act to provide for human embryonic stem cell research.
Sponsor: Sen Reid, Harry [NV] (introduced 1/4/2007)      Cosponsors (41)*
Related Bills: H.R.3, S.997
Latest Major Action: 4/11/2007 Passed/agreed to in Senate. Status: Passed Senate, having acquired the 60 votes required under unanimous consent, without amendment by Yea-Nay Vote. 63 - 34.

Record Vote Number: 127.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
SUMMARY AS OF:
1/4/2007--Introduced.

 

Stem Cell Research Enhancement Act of 2007 - Amends the Public Health Service Act to require the Secretary of Health and Human Services to conduct and support research that utilizes human embryonic stem cells, regardless of the date on which the stem cells were derived from a human embryo. Limits such research to stem cells that meet the following ethical requirements: (1) the stem cells were derived from human embryos donated from in vitro fertilization clinics for the purpose of fertility treatment and were in excess of the needs of the individuals seeking such treatment; (2) the embryos would never be implanted in a woman and would otherwise be discarded; and (3) such individuals donate the embryos with written informed consent and receive no financial or other inducements.

Full Text

 

The Italics were added by me to call attention to the relevant language.  Note that it does not allow, it requires human embryonic stem cell research.

*Note that both Democrat front runners were cosponsors.

 

Now the votes (Full vote count at the link above)
Republicans FOR the bill (asterisks identify co-sponsors for the legislation):

Alexander (R-TN)	Burr (R-NC)
Cochran (R-MS)	Collins (R-ME)*
Gregg (R-NH)	Hatch (R-UT)*
Hutchison (R-TX)	Lott (R-MS)
Lugar (R-IN)	McCain (R-AZ)
Murkowski (R-AK)	Smith (R-OR)
Snowe (R-ME)*	Specter (R-PA)*
Stevens (R-AK)*	Warner (R-VA)

 

Democrats against the bill:

Casey (D-PA)

Nelson (D-NE)

 

Really, there are few surprises in this vote for people who have been following the other Congressional votes.  President Bush has promised to veto this legislation if it ever reaches his desk.

 

 

 

 

 

Dave and Blarney April Fool

Dave: Hi, Blarney. I haven't seen you since you left for that Man Made Global Warming conference. How did that go?

Blarney: It was cancelled due to a blizzard. We decided to hold the next one in July.

Dave: That's pretty smart. You should have some record high temperatures somewhere that you can point to as evidence.

Blarney: We had a record high just a few days ago in Montgomery, Alabama.

Dave: Really? How hot was it?

Blarney: 88.

Dave: That doesn't seem too hot for Alabama.

Blarney: Oh, but it was a record for that day in March.

Dave: What was the previous record?

Blarney: 87.

Dave: And when was the previous record set?

Blarney: 1895.

Dave: So, let me see if I understand. The previous high was 87, set Mar 28, 1895. In 112 years, man-made global warming resulted in a new high of 88?

Blarney: That's right.

Dave: But all the years in between it was colder?

Blarney: Yes. That's what Man Made Global Warming is all about.

Dave: OK. I have a question for you. What made it so hot back in 1895?

Blarney: The transportation industry, just like today.

Dave: You'll have to explain that.

Blarney: Hello, railroads, STEAM locomotives!

Dave: <sigh>

The Wedding Party

My daughter, Michele, married Caesar Espinoza in Las Vegas. Although I was unable to attend, my son, Scott, carried me along by cell phone. So I was able to give her away at the appropriate time. I thought some of you would be interested in seeing the wedding party. Michele's friend, Ava Rose, was the maid of honor.

You Easter, I say Resurrection Day

Being, as you know, a Christian, I have more regard for Easter than I do for Christmas. There are several reasons for this, chief being that the whole point of the birth of Christ (say, did you know that was what Christmas was about?) is the death, burial, and resurrection of Christ. Without such resurrection, in the words of Apostle Paul, we are lost.

But, of course, we can see the fruits of this resurrection in the changed lives of not only the original apostles and believers, but those we know who have been born again.

And since this is the most important Holy Day or holiday, you will begin to see - actually we have already seen - attacks on this doctrine. Last year it was the Da Vinci Code. This year it is the Lost Tomb of Jesus. I find that the following two postings do an admirable job or stating the truth. Please read them in their entirety and enjoy.

What Do We Mean When We Say "Christ is Risen?" by Fr. Theodore Stylianopoulos

Why do you seek the living one among the dead? Some remarks on "The Lost Tomb of Jesus" Rev. Eugen J. Pentiuc, PhD, ThD

You will see a lucid debunking of the film's basis.

Imagine a World Without America

Here is a video from the newest link on my blogroll:



Be sure to visit them.