You're not pretty enough to work here.

I read the most ridiculous thing I think I have ever heard in the paper this past week. Abercrombie and Fitch discriminates by looks. And we're not talking sloppiness, multiple tattoos and/or piercings, or poor hygiene -- we're talking prettiness. Employees are scored 0-5 on prettiness, and their scores are posted on the office wall. If you're not pretty enough, you get sent to work the backroom and cannot work the higher paying job on the sales floor. (They call their sales people "models").

Kristen Carmichael found out she didn't have the store's "sexy, effortless style" when she was pulled from a sales position at the NorthPark Center store in Dallas and moved to the stockroom. One of the questions on the report that got her pulled was, "Do all female models currently working have beautiful faces?" Kristen says, "I don't think I'm the most attractive person in the world, but I don't think I'm so hideous you have to shove me into a back room."

The ugly people (stockroom employees) are not allowed to speak to customers. Joshuah Welch, a 26-year-old recently hired as a manager, says, "It's a hierarchy of hotness." Wonder how long he'll be manager after the higher-ups read the newspaper? Kind of proves the point that they couldn't care less whether or not you have a brain as long as you look good.

"Workers: From the looks of it, beauty is key to job success." The Dallas Morning News; August 27, 2008; p. 1A.

We have lost all sense of decorum.

The Paris News had an article the other day about the North Lamar High School drama department fall production. They're staging the musical "Urinetown." Musical selections include "It's a Privilege to Pee" and "Snuff the Girl." There has been a lot of discussion locally about the propriety of high school students performing in something so low-brow. Many people, Essie May included, don't care to discuss bodily functions in public. Can you imagine a high school doing a play like this 25 years ago? How far we have fallen!

The newspaper article reeks of damage control. It's purported focus is the school district theme of promoting the environment. The drama department spokesman says this production fits right in to that -- yet the article also states that the play "emphasize(s) the importance of water conservation, although conservation is not the theme." Clue number two that it's mere damage control is that the title of the musical is not in the headline -- it's not even in the first paragraph.

In the play, private toilets are outlawed after a 20-year drought. Citizens must pay to use public facilities with wealthier people being able to afford better urinals. When a citizen cannot pay and is forced to relieve himself in the street, he is arrested and sent to Urinetown, a penal colony. In reality, people sent to Urinetown are exterminated. When the people turn against a leader of the revolution, they sing the song, "Snuff the Girl." A synopsis of the play says it "pokes fun at capitalism, social irresponsibility, populism, bureaucracy, corporate mismanagement, and petty small town politics, as well as advocating environmentalism. Urinetown rejects musical theatre convention, parodying successful Broadway shows . . . the unconventional plotline shatters audience expectations of a pleasant ending." Sounds real entertaining and cultured, doesn't it?

To sum up the newspaper article, Superintendent James Dawson is quoted: "If they see the title, they may want to come to see what it is about. It is not offensive . . ." Speak for yourself, Mr. Dawson.

"North Lamar plays to follow a theme." The Paris News; August 25, 2008; p. 1.

More evidence?

On June 9, I wrote about Barack Obama and a picture of him I had seen in the newspaper. He was moving through a crowd, and the people were pushing just to touch him. I said that I do not believe all the email "Obama is the antichrist" junk; however, this picture certainly gave me pause.

Now, there is something else that gives me pause to reconsider the Obama as antichrist thought. According to Reuters, he will address the Democratic National Convention from "an elaborately columned stage resembling a miniature Greek temple." I thought temples were for deities! Sounds to me like they're conditioning us for acceptance of this pseudo-messiah.

http://news.yahoo.com/s/nm/20080826/pl_nm/usa_politics_obama_stadium_dc_1

Mary Ellen's logic is -- illogical.

There has been a rule proposed by the Bush Administration that would protect medical workers from being forced to provide "treatments" that are against their religious beliefs -- for example, a nurse who finds abortion morally wrong could not be compelled to assist in the procedure. So Mary Ellen Geherardi of Coppell, Texas, questioned the logic of such a rule in a letter to the editor in yesterday's Dallas Morning News.

Mary Ellen compares it to military service. She says, that anyone who objects to murder, wouldn't have to fight. There's a little problem with Mary Ellen's logic, too. Number 1 -- military action is not murder. Not every instance of taking a life is murder. Number 2 -- let's give Mary Ellen her point and say that military casualties are murder. Helllooooo -- we have an all-VOLUNTEER army, so she is right when she says, if you find it "morally wrong to invade another country and murder innocent people" you don't have to do it. Number 3 -- Even when we had the draft, we had a thing called "conscientious objection." If your religious beliefs were compromised by combat, you could file for conscientious objection and be assigned something else. Number 4 -- Doctors take the Hippocratic oath which states, in part, "I will follow that system of regimen which, according to my ability and judgment, I consider for the benefit of my patients, and abstain from whatever is deleterious and mischievous. I will give no deadly medicine to any one if asked, nor suggest any such counsel; and in like manner I will not give to a woman a pessary to produce abortion. With purity and with holiness I will pass my life and practice my Art." I don't think soldiers ever take an oath not to kill another person -- I think their oath involves protecting their country and following the orders of their Commander-in-Chief.

Mary Ellen concludes with the question, "Can you imagine this logic applied fairly, across the board?" I agree -- kind of looks like the medical field got the short end of the stick.

"Moral point, to logical end." The Dallas Morning News; August 26, 2008; p. 18A.

I really thought I had heard it all until . . .

The Catholics are holding a beauty pageant . . . for nuns. That's right, the "Miss Sister 2008" online pageant will start in September and will give nuns from around the world a chance to showcase their work and their image.

The Rev. Antonio Rungi, an Italian priest, came up with the idea. "Nuns are a bit excluded. They are a bit marginalized in ecclesiastical life. This will be an occasion to make their contribution more visible. . . We are not going to parade nuns in bathing suits . . .External beauty is a gift from God, and we mustn't hide it."

The National Association of Catholic Teachers doesn't like the idea. The group says that it "belittles the role of nuns who have dedicated themselves to God."

I agree. We used to have a Catholic hospital here, and I can remember the days when the nuns wore full habits. The few times I was hospitalized, they were a great comfort, and I just can't picture any of them parading around with sashes and tiaras. While I certainly believe they should be recognized for their works, I don't believe what they look like has one iota's bearing on their work for God. And I'll just bet that most of them are a bit embarrassed by Rungi's brainstorm!

"Priest calling nuns to new mission: pageantry." The Dallas Morning News; August 25, 2008; p. 6A.

Relax -- it's just a job!

I've written before about how my dog is my baby. Some people just don't seem to get that. In San Marcos, Texas, last week, a couple was rushing their little dog to an emergency vet. The dog was choking to death. And they were speeding -- I would have been, too.

They were stopped. Instead of Officer Paul Stephens using some common sense and helping them get the dog on to the veterinarian and then giving them a ticket if he wanted to, he insisted on giving them a ticket right then. When the distraught couple protested, he callously shouted, "Relax, it's just a dog! You can buy another one!" Of course, the twenty-minute delay was too much, and the dog died.

Instead of being fired, the Officer has received an "oral reprimand." This is ridiculous! If I were the police chief, I would have called him in and said, "Relax, it's just a job! You can find another one!"

"Police officer receives death threats." The Dallas Morning News; August 23, 2008; p. 3A.

Consumers Win!

Our government is doing something right! The FTC is banning recorded sales calls. The only problem I see with this is that it took this long to get it done. Effective September 1, 2009, sellers and telemarketers may place recorded calls only to people who have provided written and signed agreements to receive them.

More than 150 million people are on the "Do Not Call" Registry. Many people who are not on the registry don't want the calls, either. They just haven't taken the time to register their numbers. Doesn't this say something to telemarketers? We hate those calls!

Of course, this will not stop a lot of unscrupulous companies from continuing their harassment. But it should definitely cause a slow-down. I'd like it even better if the effective date was 2008 instead of 2009!

"Recorded calls to be limited." The Dallas Morning News; August 21, 2008; p. 2D.

Shall we boycott?

I love Hallmark cards, especially the Shoebox line featuring Maxine. And I'm not one to go in for boycotts as I think they are usually empty gestures. However, Hallmark has crossed a line, and I will no longer buy Hallmark cards, stationery, ornaments, candles, or anything else they market.

Why am I taking this stand? Hallmark has debuted their same-sex wedding cards. They have four designs, one featuring two tuxedos with "Two hearts: One promise," as the sentiment inside. Isn't that just too sweet? I was not aware that the company started distributing their "coming out" cards last year, or my boycott would already be several months old.

American Greetings is Hallmark's largest competitor, and they have no plans to introduce such cards into their lines. From now on, they get my business. If you agree with me on this issue, I hope you'll do the same. Let Hallmark make their profit off the perverts.

"Gay marriage line unveiled." The Dallas Morning News; August 22, 2008; p. 9A.

Which one is smarter?

Yesterday, someone I know sent me a video link. It's an interview with Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid. Either this man is the smarmiest politician in the USA, or he's the dumbest politician in the USA. Whichever it is, he doesn't need to be Senate Majority leader. Listening to him, I noticed the similarities in his answers and the answer given on another popular youtube video. I've put the link for that one on this post as well. Take a look at both, and see if you see the same similarities I do.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=R7mRSI8yWwg

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lj3iNxZ8Dww

You go, Girl!

My new hero is Leda Smith of Point Marion, Pennsylvania. Leda is 85 years old. A few weeks ago, her neighbor was the victim of a burglary. As a result, Leda got a .22 revolver and placed it by her bedside.

Sunday afternoon, Leda heard someone breaking into her home. She says, "I just walked right on past him to the bedroom and got my gun." Then she held it on him, and here's the best part: she forced him to call 911! He had to call in his own crime! Isn't that priceless?

The 17-year-old she apprehended will be charged with attempted burglary. I can't figure out why it's just attempted -- he was in her house, so he succeeded in the burglary.

At any rate, Leda is my new hero. Don't you just love feisty old women?

"Woman, 85, busts would-be burglar." The Dallas Morning News; August 20, 2008; p. 5A.

Doctors must help gays have babies.

Two Christian fertility doctors refused to artificially inseminate a lesbian, Guadalupe Benitez, because of their religious beliefs. In a unanimous decision, the California Supreme Court has ruled that they have no right to do so.

We are not talking about these doctors refusing to treat a lesbian who is already pregnant. We are not talking about them refusing to treat someone in a life threatening situation. We are talking about forcing them to assist in impregnating someone whose lifestyle flies in the face of everything they believe as Christians. This is unconscionable!

And then homosexuals have the audacity and the hypocrisy to play the victims and bandy about the, "We just want tolerance," mantra. As Christians, we need to place our feet firmly on the Rock and loudly say, "NO! We will NOT tolerate anymore!"

"Court: Beliefs no cause to deny gays treatment." The Dallas Morning News; August 19, 2008; p. 9A.

No they weren't!

I have a pet peeve. I know people who use this phrase mean well, and I know what they mean, but the phrase is all wrong.


I was watching a report on a murder yesterday. A man was having an affair with another man's wife. The wife broke off the affair saying, "We can never be together unless something happens to my husband." So the jilted lover went to the husband's place of business and shot him. Not only did he shoot the husband, but he also shot one of the husband's co-workers. The reporter's comment of the co-worker -- "He was just in the wrong place at the wrong time."


No he wasn't, he was right where he was supposed to be at the time he was supposed to be there. The nut who killed him was in the wrong place at the wrong time. If this poor innocent victim had been in bed with another man's wife, and the husband came in and caught them and beat him to death, then you could say he was in the wrong place at the wrong time. If this poor innocent victim had been in someone else's home with a hood over his face going through their valuables, and the homeowner shot him, then you could say he was in the wrong place at the wrong time. If this poor innocent victim had been standing out in the middle of a metroplex freeway at 5 o'clock in the afternoon, and a semi-truck ran him down, then you could say he was in the wrong place at the wrong time.

But being at work at 8 o'clock in the morning is being in the right place at the right time. Saying he was in the wrong place at the wrong time smacks of placing the blame on him. It was the killer who was in the wrong place at the wrong time!

I don't think they have a clue!

I guess the older I get, the more I resist change; however, I was never one to embrace change just for the sake of change. I've heard people many times say, "Change is good." That's one of those statements that sounds deep and well-thought out, but analyze it and you see it's not true. For example, suppose a tornado hits your block and completely changes the landscape. That's change, but I wouldn't call it good. Suppose your boss says, "We're making some changes around here. Your job will be eliminated." That's change, and it may be good for the boss, but it's not good for you. Remember when Coca-Cola changed their formula? They quickly learned that change is not always good.

Now another classic is being changed. Miss Scarlet is no longer Miss Scarlet. She is Kasandra Scarlet, a famous tabloid-fodder actress. Mr. Green is now Jacob Green, an African-American "with all the ins." Colonel Mustard? He's become Jack Mustard, football star. Professor Plum has left his noble profession to become a video game designer.

Yes, my friends, Hasbro is changing the classic Clue game. No more lead pipe, revolver, or wrench. I have one of the old games in my closet. But I can assure you, one of the new versions will never be found on that shelf. Kasandra in the spa with a dumbbell just isn't the same as Mrs. Peacock in the conservatory with the revolver.

"Clue gets an update." The Dallas Morning News; August 16, 2008; p. 2D.

Nothing succeeds like success!

The Dallas Independent School District has gone absolutely bonkers. The powers that be are implementing new rules that all teachers must follow. These rules include:

1) Teachers must accept late work with no penalty to the student.
2) Homework grades, if they are dragging the student's grade down, must not be counted.
3) Students who fail a test must be allowed to retake the test, and the higher grade will count.
4) Teachers cannot give a zero on an assignment unless they call the parents and make "efforts to assist students in completing the work."

The changes are part of a switch to "effort-based grading" and are designed to give students multiple opportunities to demonstrate that they've mastered class material. Sounds to me like it's "no-effort-based grading."

The district staff came up with these rules over the summer. A letter to the editor in yesterday's Morning News raised a valid question: "Was it over a round of margaritas?" Also in yesterday's News was a quote from Superintendent Michael Hinojosa who said that in the long run, the rules will help more students to succeed. Succeed at what? Figuring out how to get by with doing nothing? Hinojosa's definition of success must be very different from mine!

"Teachers give new rules an F." The Dallas Morning News; August 15, 2008; p. 1A.
"Grading changes defended." The Dallas Morning News; August 16, 2008; p. 1A.
"You'd have to be tipsy to agree." The Dallas Morning News; August 16, 2008; p. 18A.

I don't think I can become acclimated to your acclamation.

Gromer Jeffers Jr. of The Dallas Morning News reports on the Democratic National Convention in Friday's edition of the news. Being a political reporter, you'd think he'd know political terms. Ah, contraire, mon frere!

His report deals with whether or not a roll call vote will be taken. Many of Hillary Clinton's delegates want to cast their votes for her, even though they realize it's pretty much an empty gesture. Mr. Jeffers explains the process:

"After a candidate gets the total number of delegates to win, a motion for a united vote by acclimation would occur." He then quotes Gary Mauro who chaired Hillary's Texas campaign: "We just decided two weeks before the night that we're going to do what we always do. I sure intend to be right there voting for the motion of acclimation, after I do my duty."

Well, Gromer, here's your vocabulary lesson for today. The word you are looking for is "acclamation," which means an enthusiastic oral vote without a formal ballot. "Acclimation" means to become accustomed to one's environment.

For example: Obama won by a vote of acclamation, but none of the conservatives thinks acclimation to that situation will ever occur.

"Deal sets stage for Clinton delegates." The Dallas Morning News; August 15, 2008; p. 10A.

We don't like your business -- you're outta' here!

The Dallas City Council has run amok! Woodard Paint & Body Shop, a family-owned business, has been on Ross Avenue since 1920. The Dallas City Council has decided they want to gussy up Ross, and the body shop no longer fits in with what they want to do. The family must close the shop within the next two years.

City Council Member Angela Hunt led the charge to close the shop. She said, "We are trying to change and transform this area." (Aside from being heartless, she's a bit redundant, too). Several council members were hesitant about the action. Sheffie Kadane said, "These folks are pioneers in our city. They are the folks who started our city. I think we need to give them the opportunity to see this area develop." Steve Salazar expressed concern about the city imposing a sort of eminent domain. But when the vote came, it was unanimous, following the council's "tradition of deferring to the wishes of the member whose district the business sits in." Why have a vote at all if you're going to do what one person wants? That's a sham and a shame! What happened to doing what's right?

Several citizens showed up to speak on the issue. Melanie Webster said, "The Woodards have known since 2005 that this day was going to come. They could move their business to a place that is legal, and the customers would follow." Why should they have the expense of moving their business to "a place that is legal" when they're already in a place that's been legal for the last 88 years? Think Melanie would feel the same if it was her business? Some said the Woodards have not maintained the property, allowing weeds to grow high in the lot and the paint to peel from the building. Then cite them for code violations and make them clean the place up! Sharon Smith said, "Ross Avenue east of Central is on the way to becoming a gateway to the new arts district." Well, lah-ti-dah! That doesn't give the city the right to change the rules on a business that's been there for 88 years!

I can fully understand denying zoning for a new business. I can fully understand requiring the Woodard's to comply with ordinances on weeds, clutter, and building maintenance. I can fully understand changing the zoning once the Woodard's decide it's time to close or move their business. What I don't understand is violating the Woodard's property rights because a bunch of do-gooders want to change Ross Avenue. The Woodard's today -- somebody else (maybe you) tomorrow!

"Ross Avenue body shope is denied special-use permit." The Dallas Morning News; August 14, 2008; p. 1B.

The question is not what can WE do . . .

Dallas Morning News columnist James Ragland is upset. The Brookings Institute released a study Tuesday that says in the first half of this decade, the number of low-wage workers and families living in poverty-stricken neighborhoods rose by a striking 41 percent. A high poverty neighborhood is one in which at least 40 percent of the population qualifies for the federal earned income tax credit. For a married couple with two kids, the poverty threshold was $19,806 in 2005, and the earned income tax credit income limit was $37,263.

Alan Berube, a Brookings fellow and co-author of the study, says, "For those who thought we may have solved the problem of concentrated poverty, the message is, we haven't done that." Ragland says, "That observation hardly surprises those on the front lines of our nation's ill-fated war against poverty." Berube further states, "Robust economic growth, together with smart policies that help reduce economic segregation, remain critical for helping low-income people and places."

Larry James is president and CEO of Central Dallas Ministries. He says "We've got to rise above the partisan political battles and come to grips with quality-of-life issues that affect us all."

Did you notice anything missing in these ideas for solutions? I did. Not one mention of what the poor could do to help themselves -- we've got to wage the war on poverty, we haven't solved the problem of poverty, smart policies are critical. Maybe the Brookings Institute is just a little too politically correct to tackle the problem head-on, but I'm not.

Here's how we can stop poverty in its tracks:
1) Don't have babies out of wedlock.
2) Don't drink.
3) Don't do drugs.
4) Don't smoke.
5) Don't have babies when you're a teenager.
6) Finish school.
7) Don't depend on welfare -- have some self-respect and get a job. Leave welfare for those who really need it -- the elderly, and the mentally and physically disabled.
8) After you marry, don't have more babies than you can afford.
9) When you can afford a house or apartment, take care of it. Don't knock out the windows in drunken brawls and tear up the plumbing then leave the mess owing 3 months rent.
10) Don't gamble.
11) Don't buy luxury items you can't afford (big screen tvs, hi-tech cell phones, big cars, computers, ipods).

See -- that didn't take even one government policy! All that's required is some old-fashioned common sense which no one in Washington seems to have these days.

Just a footnote to all this -- did you know that 95% of the kids in Dallas public schools are on free or reduced lunch programs? What is wrong with this picture?!!!!!

"A poor showing for a rich nation." The Dallas Morning News; August 13, 2008; p. 1B.

And you want government-run universal health care?

The General Accounting Office decided to test Medicare. They set up two sham companies and applied to Medicare for billing privileges. They got them, even though GAO investigators deliberately gave sketchy information and provided false documents. The GAO is concerned, because once a company gets billing privileges, it can pretty easily get a doctor's ID code and begin submitting claims.

According to the GAO, roughly $1 billion of the $10 billion in annual Medicare payments for medical equipment and labor is not legitimate. My calculator won't even go to a billion! The inspector general for the Department of Health and Human Services reported in 2006 that almost one-third of the 1,581 medical suppliers it visited in south Florida had no offices at the addresses submitted to Medicare. Think if your doctor is dead he can't treat you anymore? Think again. Medicare paid out approximately $93 million based on equipment prescriptions from dead doctors. (I don't know what time period that covers -- the article didn't say).

And we want the government to take over health care for everybody!

"Medicare fell for fake billing test GAO staged." The Dallas Morning News; August 4, 2008; p. 4A.

Economic situation or greed?

Each year since 1997, the City of Dallas has had a back-to-school fair at Fair Park. Needy families come to get free school supplies, haircuts, immunizations, and other services. The crowd at this year's event was one of the largest.

"The tough economy may have contributed to one of the largest crowds at an anuual back-to-school fair Thursday in Dallas," reporter Rachel Slade says. Mayor Tom Leppert said "The economy is difficult. It's more difficult to make ends meet."

Now, I'll be the first to admit that high fuel and corn prices are causing the cost of living to go up for everyone, but I'm not so sure that's what's causing the large crowds at this event. I'm more inclined to think it's 1) word of mouth -- "Hey, they're giving away free stuff down there. Let's go get it," and 2) people having kids they can't afford.

"Annual event is economics lesson." The Dallas Morning News; August 8, 2008; p. 1B.

Dr. Lura is spinning in her grave.

There was a front page article in The Paris News yesterday about the grand opening of the "Dr. Laura Gregory Memorial Library" in Roxton. The article repeatedly referred to "Dr. Laura." Just one problem. Her name was "Lura."

The ironic thing is that she was an incredibly precise woman, and she didn't like it when people called her "Laura." She is now spinning in her grave.

Then there was the wedding write-up on page 3C: "The bodice of the gown was complimented with a French lace overlay with the same pearls and beading."

Compliment: to say something nice about. Complement: to complete.

I really don't think I can compliment this Sunday edition of The Paris News.

I hope Gabriela leaves me her gall

Maria Martinez applied for a job at Luby's Cafeteria located inside Trinity Medical Center in Carrollton, Texas. She used a fake Social Security card, and the hospital personnel caught the counterfeit. According to Maria's daughter, Gabriela, Mrs. Martinez was initially denied employment because of the illegal document. The hospital called the next day, however, and set up an appointment for her to come in for another interview. Of course, when she arrived, police were waiting and she was arrested. She is being held for tampering with government records and for immigration authorities. If convicted of the tampering charge, she faces two to twenty years in prison.

Gabriela says, "A hospital, from my point of view, needs to have morals before anything else. It's the first time I hear that a hospital helps deport a person."

Well, Gabriela, maybe you ought to speak to your mother about morals before you start judging the hospital. I don't think either you or your mother, who forged documents and entered this country illegally, has any room to complain just because she got caught. In fact, I think it's pretty darn nervy of you. As my mama used to say, would you leave me your gall when you die?

"Job applicant facing deportation." The Dallas Morning News; August 8, 2008; p. 7B.

Could it be because . . .

Political pundits are a bit bumfuzzled as to why Barack Obama is not enjoying a double-digit lead over John McCain in the polls. They wonder why Obama is "basically tied with his opponent when his party is so far ahead." I think it's because Obama makes even liberal Democrats look like far right-wingers.

David Brooks of The New York Times speculates that, " . . .voters have trouble placing him in his context, understanding the roots and values in which he is ineluctably embedded." Nah -- I think it's because Obama makes even liberal Democrats look like far right-wingers.

Clarence Page says Mr. Obama's biracial background may be contributing to the slimness of his lead. Nah -- I think it's because Obama makes even liberal Democrats look like far right-wingers.

Mark Ambinder says that "Recent history suggests that the electorate swings late, not early, as undecided voters slowly, carefully and fairly rationally begin to make up their minds." Nah -- I think it's because Obama makes even liberal Democrats look like far right-wingers.

Yes, I think Obama makes even liberal Democrats look good -- and that's a very scary thought!

"Obama fatigue?" The Dallas Morning News; August 8, 2008; p. 19A.

Can you afford to get hurt here?

Eight years ago, Luis Alberto Jimenez, an illegal alien, was severely and permanently injured in an automobile accident in Florida. He was taken to a community hospital which kept him as a ward for years because they could not find a rehabilitation center that would accept an uninsured patient. The hospital racked up costs on Mr. Jimenez of $1.5 million dollars. Of course, that cost was passed on to people like you and me who live here legally, pay taxes, and buy health and accident insurance.

Finally, the hospital took action. They got a state court order, leased an air ambulance for $30,000, and took Mr. Jimenez back to his native Guatemala. An appeals court said, "No can do," but by that time Mr. Jimenez was gone. Though American hospitals are required by federal regulation to arrange post-hospital care for patients who need it, more and more of them are repatriating illegals. The problem, they say, is that Medicaid does not cover long-term care for illegal aliens. Why should it? When it comes to being here illegally, the federal regulation shouldn't apply -- that's for American citizens and those immigrants who have a legal status here.

While I am sorry for Mr. Jimenez's plight, it is a result of his own poor choice. He chose to come here illegally. If his were the only case of this sort, I would say that we need to take pity on that man and take care of him. But you multiply his situation by the thousands of illegal aliens in this country, and I don't think it's an expense we can take on. Many of our own countrymen are struggling to take care of their own medical needs -- there's simply nothing left over for those who have no regard for our laws. So if you risk coming here illegally, you should realize that you are also assuming the risk of being sent home should you become catastrophically sick or injured. We simply can't afford to take care of you.

"Sending the sick home." The Dallas Morning News; August 3, 2008; p. 9A.

Update on FLDS

The State of Texas CPS is trying to remove eight children from the Fundamentalist Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints at the Yearning for Zion Ranch. It seems their mothers are not abiding by the agreement to keep them away from those men who practice and promote underage marriage. Well, gee, isn't that every man there?
I don't know why any court thought the mothers would keep those agreements anyway. These people are brainwashed. They believe their immortal souls depend on doing what "Father" Warren Jeffs tells them to do. If you think you and your children will be doomed to hell if you don't live in a harem and force your daughters to marry at age 12, then you'll probably live in a harem and force your daughters to marry at age 12 no matter what the courts say.

One 10-year-old child says she and her sister were brought to the ranch a couple of years ago in the middle of the night. She does not know where her mother is. When she asks about her, she is told that it's none of her business. Sect records show the mother was married to Merril Jessop in 2004, and that she has abandoned her daughters. If I were the police, I'd track that woman down. She's probably lying in a grave somewhere in the Arizona desert.

Everytime I read about this thing, my heart just breaks for those young girls who have known nothing else. A 14-year-old who has been married to leader Warren Jeffs for two years says that the marriages are "pure." "This can't be a crime because heavenly Father is the one that tells Warren when a girl is ready to get married and that he is only following the word of Heavenly Father." God has reserved a really hot spot in Hell for Warren Jeffs!

But not to worry -- Lloyd Barlow, one of the six men indicted last month for forcing children to marry and have sex, was asked what a young woman could do if she were the victim of domestic violence. "The church elders would handle the situation," was the reply. And we all know how those "church elders" would handle the situation. They'd tell the woman to "be sweet" and go back to her abusive husband. It's my bet that's what happened to that missing mother.

"State wants 8 kids back." The Dallas Morning News; August 6, 2008; p. 1A.

Let us have a moment of silence.

Monday's Dallas Morning News reported a "sad day in the blogosphere." It seems Rosie O'Donnell has informed her readers that she's going to discontinue her blog for a while. She says, "It gets to a point where it's too much. It's too draining."

Pooooooor Rosie! She's such a martyr. Donald Trump doesn't like her, they kicked her off The View, and now her millions of fans are literally draining her dry by demanding that she blog every day. Pooooooooor Rosie!

I'm really tickled that people read my blog, but even if no one read it, I'd probably still do it. It's my way of getting things off my chest. It's fun for me to sit down and comment on what I see in the newspapers and in life. But I'm just so upset about poooooooooor Rosie ---- NOT!

"No more haiku from Rosie?" The Dallas Morning News; August 4, 2008; p. 3E.

Latest from Obama - that sounds great!

"I consistently believe that when it comes to whether it's Native Americans or African-American issues or reparations, the most important thing for the U.S. government to do is not just offer words, but offer deeds." Barack Obama ("Talking Points." The Dallas Morning News; August 3, 2008; p. 1p.)

You know what that means? More taxes to fund checks to blacks just because they're black. There is not a black American alive today who has the slightest concept of what it's like to be a slave, just as there is not a white American alive today who has the slightest concept of what it's like to own a slave. No white today owes any black an apology or anything else for something that happened more than 150 years ago. There is probably no one who doesn't have at least one ancestor who suffered some sort of injustice -- there's just no way to go back and right all the wrongs of history.

Obama has proposed a windfall profits tax to fund $1000 emergency rebate checks for consumers besieged by high energy costs ("Obama may back drilling." The Dallas Morning News; August 2, 2008; p. 4A). Sounds real good, doesn't it? Stick it to the energy companies and send us all $1000 each! But do you really think the energy companies are going to take that loss? Of course not! They'll raise their prices to recoup all that money. And after the money is recouped, do you really think the energy companies will bring the prices back down? I really doubt it, so payments on that $1000 check will be made by the consumer in perpetuity. Doesn't sound quite as good when you analyze it, does it? And that holds true for pretty much everything Barack Obama says.

Do you get time off to pray four times a day?

The Dallas Morning News reports that "North Texas companies are increasingly making space for quiet rooms as Muslim employees play a larger role in the U.S. workplace and feel more secure about verbalizing their faith." Businesses nationwide, the article says, are seeing more and more religious discrimination charges. The most prevalent charges deal with time off for religious activities and wearing religious garb in the workplace.

Texas Instruments, American Airlines, Nortel, and Electronic Data Systems all have quiet rooms where their Muslim employees may go up to four times a day. However, that is not to say that companies providing prayer rooms are in the majority. Brian Mershon, a spokesman for Fluor Corporation, said they have not provided such rooms, but "if we had requests from Muslim employees or nursing mothers as well as any prayer room for employees, we would accommodate their requests."

I find that just a little hard to believe. If Mr. Mershon's Christian employees ask for a prayer room so they can go pray three times a day, I kind of doubt that will be granted. He would probably say, "Pray on your own time." I could be wrong now, but I don't think so.

On the other side of the coin, I can just imagine if a Christian employer provided a prayer room for his employees and placed Bibles there for their convenience. If he happened to employ an atheist or a Muslim, the atheist would file a discrimination suit saying the room made him uncomfortable, and religion was being pushed on him. And the Muslim would file charges on him for not placing the Koran there. Who do you think would win those suits? I'm pretty sure it wouldn't be the Christian.

While Muslims may feel more secure in "verbalizing their faith," goofball government rulings are making it more and more difficult for Christians to do the same.

"Area employers answer prayer room requests." The Dallas Morning News; August 2, 2008; p. 1A.

Did you ever play Shoots and Ladders?

Caption on the front page of this morning's Paris News:

"Brian Kelso shoves a horse out of the shoot Friday as saddle bronc rider Matt Cameron of Mount Pleasant begins his ride Friday during the Paris Rodeo and Horse Club Rodeo."

Aw, chute! You reckon ol' Cowboy Brian can chute a gun, too? I bet he can if it's on Friday.

Won't you be my neighbor?

I wrote the other day about a new Dallas Housing Project for poor blacks ("I want what you want . . . I just don't want to pay for it"). The townhome style project was built in an affluent North Dallas neighborhood. The affluent whites were understandably apprehensive about their new neighbors. People are quick to yell about racism and "not in my back yard" attitudes, but I believe these people are justified in their apprehension. Case in point . . .

A low income housing project in Dallas called Pleasant Village Apartments is anything but a Pleasant Village. Police have been instructed not to make calls there without taking at least four officers. This past Tuesday night, a couple of pre-teen girls, with the approval of one of the mothers, got into a fight. Other kids quickly became involved, the mother called her mother and some other relatives, a crowd of adults from the other girl's side showed up, and soon shots were fired. Chaos ensued as people scattered and ducked for cover. The mother who originally gave her approval for the fight called 911. The police arrived with more than the requisite four officers.

Rumors went wild and "they" told the residents that as soon as the police left, "they" were going to start shooting again. At 1:14 a.m., Wednesday, another 911 call reported that nine men had gathered with weapons behind the apartment complex. As some fearful residents left the complex, their car was fired upon. Three children were shot, one injured critically. Rumors are flying that more violence is in the making for the next few nights. Police will beef up patrols at the complex until things die down.

The manager of the complex said, "We actually have very good residents. We do background checks on every one of them. We don't allow criminals." Yeah -- sounds like a really high caliber people to me. Bet they'll fit right in up there in North Dallas.

"3 kids shot after girls' fight incites brawl at apartments." The Dallas Morning News; July 31, 2008; page 1A.