The Supreme Court ruled that the death penalty cannot be imposed on child rapists who do not kill their victims Wednesday, June 25, 2008.  I am torn over this decision because someone who rapes a child under the age of 13 should not be allowed to live; the rapist has altered the child’s life forever, why should they be allowed to live in the decency of the U.S. prison system for the rest of their lives or until they get early release because of overcrowding?  My heart goes out to the young individual who has to learn to live with the reality of being raped and what that involves; in fact my heart aches for these children.  Is my heart aching for the victims enough to encourage the death penalty?  Well, the Supreme Court has ruled that my moral outrage at the thought of children being raped is not enough to warrant issuing the death penalty to these rapists.

Ok, so on the other hand child rapists are the scum of the earth; I think we can all agree on that statement.  But, you knew there was a but, right?  If we as a nation decide to issue the death penalty to child rapists whose crime did not result in the death of the victim do we then decide the death penalty is also suitable punishment for other crimes that do not result in death?  We work our way right around to that line that we as a society should not cross even though it seems prudent at the time while looking at an emotionally charged issue like children being raped.    

Here is a simplified version of Iowa’s new law written by Alex Schuman at the Fort Dodge Messenger:

Link

Ok, I am sure the non-smokers are celebrating in the streets.  Yes, cigarette smoke is bad, bad, bad, for everyone but it is also legal.  Cigarettes also supply money to the state coffers by way of exorbitant taxes, which is why cigarettes have not been outlawed.  How many legal activities can the government regulate?  Stop and think about your daily life and how much of it is governed already by laws and regulations that come from our overabundant government.  So, now a smoker cannot enjoy a cigarette in public because it might cause harm to another?  Perhaps that is a good rule, who gets to decide? Oh yah I forgot the government does.  What do you hold dear?  What do you wait until your break to do?  What relaxes and gives you comfort; twinkies, cupcakes, or perhaps the smell of flowers in the early morning?  But, but what if those things make me uncomfortable or gosh, downright ill?  Do I get to pass a bill saying you can no longer enjoy those things even though they are legal?  What legal activity are you willing to give up when some group decides it is no longer “safe” or “good” for the general health or wellbeing of mankind?  Quite frankly I am not willing to give up any more of my rights for the “good” of the rest of you.  When does politically correct stop and plain asinine activity take over?  People, I think we are getting really close to that line and some of us have totally fallen over to the dark side of too much political correctness at the expense of personal freedoms. 

Well, it would appear that the Democratic primary race is over.  The ending of this long and overpowering race is just as full of BS as the rest of the political season has been.  “What does Hillary want?”  Does Hillary know what she wants other than to have actually won?  I can only imagine those sessions where the Hill & Bill show are discussing what their future might hold.  I personally believe that Hillary achieved everything she set out to do except for that final step of becoming the Democratic nominee.  The bitter pill of grabbing defeat from the jaws of victory will not sit well with this highly political couple. 

I have to admit that I have enjoyed this political season more so than any in recent history.  The 3:00 a.m. phone call ads were a hoot, not only did they give us all a little insight into how each campaign presented their thoughts but they gave the talking heads something to do for weeks on end.  The Reverend Wright deal really opened my eyes about the “black” church in America, I hope it also opened other’s eyes to what may be happening in the middle of the U.S. while “white” individuals are taught to watch every word and nuance in their speech to not be viewed as racist. 

Individuals who do not agree with Obama or find he is too fluffy instead of full of substance are shut down with the phrase, “you are only saying that because of your personal biases against someone different than you.”  Um, excuse me all politicians are different than I am.  If I was stranded on a desert island with a politician I can’t imagine being able to find any common ground on which to build a relationship.  Most politicians have no idea what “real” life is from day to day in America.  So saying someone is not in agreement with Obama because he is different is correct and wrong all at the same time. 

This little ditty is from Obama’s I have finally won speech:

“I am absolutely certain that generations from now, we will be able to look back and tell our children that this was the moment when we began to provide care for the sick and good jobs to the jobless; this was the moment when the rise of the oceans began to slow and our planet began to heal.”I have one question!  If these things are really within the president’s power why hasn’t some other ego maniac in that office actually done them?  “This was the moment when the rise of the oceans began to slow and our planet began to heal.”  WOW, I am so impressed that one man can say this with a straight face and individuals actually believe he can deliver.  Can he walk on water too?  If this is true the United States is in for a wonderful show in the next few years.  Sorry, I am too cynical to believe any of this BS.  It makes a pretty speech but how on earth can this be delivered, or for that matter any of the other crap he wants to do as laid out on his website?  I am sure it can be done but not without breaking the pocketbooks and spirit of the people who would be left funding the wonderful world Mr. Obama sees for us all.   

I have to admit when Hillary gave her “not” concession speech I was proud to be an American citizen.  “Our” girl came a long way didn’t she?  I think she would have gone along way further if she would have dumped Bill before she started on her journey through the small towns and byways of the United States.  Hey, Hill, hint for 2012 – dump Bill before you start in again.  Having a former president embarrass himself and family over and over again through all those small towns and byways of the United States is not something I want to witness again in this lifetime.   

Well, it’s done!  I am glad and sad at the same time.  What, oh what, am I going to do for entertainment now?  I sure hope the Repubs come out with both fists swinging and their hair on fire to point out the cost of all of Obama’s public policy programs listed on his website, cause damn it I don’t want to pay for them.   

"ROSEVILLE, Minn. —  A man was severely injured when he threw himself into a wood chipper in Minnesota, police said.

Crews were clearing trees in a public area Thursday afternoon when the man appeared and jumped head first into the wood chipper. Workers turned off the machine and called 911, and the man was rushed to Regions Hospital in St. Paul with injuries to his head and torso.

Police are calling it a suicide attempt and said the man is 19- to 21-years-old."

So now a wood chipper is a new way to commit suicide?  Just walking out in the woods and jumped into a wood chipper?  Geez, I bet those workers were surprised!