Madisonman... excellent

Tobacco and Alcohol Taxes mostly impact the poorest of our citizens.

This is not fuzzy math.

Try buying your tobacco online.
I think you are allowed a certain amount with out being penalized for the taxes.

Try Indian Casinos...

RW

The Defense of Marriage Act will be struck down as unconstitutional.

Trust me.

RW

I believe that homosexuality is a genetic predisposition. I am surprised that a Utah governor has endorsed same sex unions of any kind.

Utah is predominantly Mormon and Mormons were the single largest financial supporters of banning same sex marriage in California, both by in state and out of state contributions.

Like I said this surprises me.
I suspect his political career in Utah, or elsehere, is over despite his lack of governorship terms being a cause.

Mormons are among the most racist and intolerant of same sex unions among any denomination of any faith.

Mormons elect Mormons and so on and so forth... so like I said this TRULY surprises and pleases me.

RW

I guess the original question was who deserves taxpayers help more.

The woman in question is an American Citizen.
Illegal speaks for itself.

RW

This stimulus bill unfortunately does contain a lot of "pork."

That truly is unfortunate for all Americans.

The bill was supposed to be about creating jobs in infrastructure, green industries and shoring up some failing industries to protect the jobs there.

The idea was that creating jobs and saving jobs would help the economy.

It is a true shame that the Democrats added so much Pork to it and that Obama signed it with out line vetoes.

I am truly dissapointed in Obama.

On the other hand... Conservatives have no right to complain as they have spent trillions of dollars on War and Oil subsidies with detrimental effects to our nation.

How much has the Iraq Invasion Cost compared to this stimulus bill?

Even if this stimulus bill does not work out, as it wont, at least it is for OUR country and not to bomb others and offer no bid contracts for billions.

I am just going to continue to pay attention and try to weather the storm of humanity.

RW

I remember signing up for what was then called the "Selective Service." I do believe that was what it was called.

There were no real wars at the time and the country was doing pretty well. I had to sign up as a American male citizen. I figured it was my duty and if called I guess I would have a military background now.

I was not called and so I have no experience to share except that as an American male... when asked to put my name on a list to serve the Military of the United States of America... I did.

I had no desire in a time of peace and prosperity to pursue a Military career but if called I surely would have gone.

The Unites States is currently suffering a severe economic crises. Perhaps my business skills and college education are serving my country as I am employing people who have children and dreams.

I think there are many ways to serve ones country. Surely being in the Military is one of the finest and truest of serving experiences. I also think of our country as an ant hill where all manner of workers both military, workers, gatherers, nurturers and more keep the ant hill thriving.

In the great Wars 1 and 2... our way of life was saved not only by soldiers but the men and women at home building tanks, planes, bombs and bullets.

I would say this however... If a draft was implemented today, due to severe conditions, I would again add my name to the list and serve in another capacity if my country called on me.

If my country decided I would better benefit it by serving as a military man on front, or supportive, lines for the survival of the way of life I have enjoyed... I would.

I think that is what is missing in many of our younger generation. The actual realization that our freedom was WON and is not just a matter of entitlement. That it can be lost and forever must be protected.

That being said... I do not endorse or agree with many of our over seas operations these days or the way they are carried out and our fine Military personell are exposed to harm for a benefit I do not fully comprehend.

I figured I was not as smart as the government officials... until Bush... then I realized even an idiot can lead our country. For this reason I would question a "mandantory" draft.

RW

This woman is irresponsible and possibly mentally ill.

As an American she has the right to have as many children as she wants.

As taxpayers we have the right to complain about this lack of responsiblility that we will pay for.

It is called Freedom.

Once again I get here late and this has probably already been said in one form or another.

This biological planet we live on evolves, both the planet and all manner of species upon it.

It is proven over and over.

What I would suggest to religious folks who see evolution as a counter to their creationism beliefs...

Just believe that your Creator, Lord or God was wise enough to create things that evolve according to His plan and that it all is part of His plan.

Maybe even that He is smarter than you and does not reveal his whole plan to you on earth, which many accept and worship.

Considering this could actually end the debate in my opinion.

RW

This may have already been said. Seems this has been going on for a while.

Intelligent people are very often viewed as arrogant but generally not so by those as intelligent, successful or confident as themselves.

Often is it just a name calling type of thing to justify the short comings of others and attack those more successful and confident than the attackers are.

Instead of class warfare... it is kind of like intellect warfare.

Coinfidence does equal arrogance if your confidence is hollow and you can't back it up.

RW

I would like to add that poems, songs and music are often written from an internal meaning or purpose that each reader or listener takes into their heart and mind as their own, despite the authors intentions or personal motivations that inspire the writing.

That is the beauty of the art and why well composed poetry, songs and music can touch so many lives, so many cultures and idealogies in so many different ways.

It truly is a gift to all of us that we have some among us, such as this author, that writes, provokes and inspires us to take their work and make it our own in our hearts.

Sincerely,
RW

Eventually truth does become self evident.
Perception and truth are not the same thing.

I think the writer in using bones is expressing this universal recognition of truth beyond perceptions.

Lies, facades and more, evaporate into bones that show the truth behind these things.

I find this to be such as Science in not a perception but rather a mathematical equation that exposes emotions and facades.

RW

Powerful and honest... stunning.

Thank you for reading.
I am flattered and appreciative of your time and comments.

Sincerely,
RW

Well it is hard to express the truth of your thoughts without offending someone I suppose.
There are a lot of different minded people in the world. Their minds are shaped by their individual experiences and circumstances. I can not possibly cater to each possible emotional experience or circumstance and still express my own honest thoughts.

Realizing there will be some offended and critics of my thoughts has never deterred me from asking questions such as I asked in this topic... as questions, I question why they were considered offensive to one notable poster. They were only questions not accusations. I think my questions have true merit in many circumstances of suicide but perhaphs not in one posters personal experience.

The thing about personal experience is that it does not apply to everyone or every circumstance. The same as reasons for suicide are not all the same and can not all be explained by one experience.

My questions were of a general nature and not specific to a loss posted here or any other personal losses that other posters may have had a personal experience with.

I truly do ponder the questions I asked and meant no offense.

I find this to be a compelling poem about the shrinking habitat and population of wildlife.

I see wildlife compromising and improvising...but still struggling to survive.

I also see some strong handed compromising among government and industry to protect habitat. I also note that "traditions" are not nearly as valued as they once were... as it should be.
It used to be "traditional" to have black people as slaves in homes.

So just because it was a tradition to go out and shoot a hundred seals a day.. does not mean that tradition can not be challenged.

Hopefully the wisdom of our race is improving.

You touched on so many things in your succinct writing. I did not mention them all here but I understood each of them...

How brilliant you are.

Suicide a selfish act... I suppose it can be thought of that way.

I also read how those left behind feel like they are the victims. Truly we do miss our friends and family who leave us by any means.

I ponder if a person who commits suicide does not feel as if there is no hope for themselves.
This being said... would all of those "victims" left behind really have helped them... and if so why did they not help them before someone was so desperate to commit the ending of all hope of a living solution?

Could it be that they did not care enough to actually try... but only say this post mortem to redeem themselves?

Some people get too mixed up emotionally and or physically to want to breathe any more but mostly I think suicides are enabled, in part, by those who later say they would of helped who did not give a **** when it mattered.

These are my thoughts at this time.

Short and deathly sweet.

"Spring up a mighty oak tree to shade how exposed I am"

To me this is a powerfull writing of a nature I have never experienced. Did this happen to you?

Or are you just creative?

Painfully written with class and pride.

This writing captures the essence of a woman in the home and how important and loved she is even if she does not know the totallity of the love and appreciation of her spirit.