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Open Question: Isn't the snide text-book response to this question emblematic of the distorted society we live in today?

http://blogs.bnet.com/stanley-bing/?p=268 =========== 'Dear Stanley, I recently interviewed with a company where the team was led by a woman and included five female co-workers. I am a man and my concern is that I would not fit in. Further, I have heard recent statistics that a high percentage of the population would rather work for a man. I work for a company now where it’s the good ‘ol boys: I can golf, go out for drinks, swear, etc. in a corporate setting. Am I setting myself up for failure by taking a job in a female-dominant setting? The reason for the change is 100 percent salary based. Worried Walter Dear Walt, Hi there! Guess what? You’re a sexist! Congratulations on the fact that your disability has so far gone undiagnosed due to the environment in which you are working. It was only a matter of time before you were busted, and I’m happy to do the job. Your attitudes are very poor, my man. I’m not saying I don’t sympathize. It’s fun, if you’re a man, to work inside the cozy womb — if that’s the right word — of a gender-dominant group within a culture. But it’s like any other society where injustice is the law of the land: cozy for the guys in power, cold for those on the outside looking in. Just for fun, here are some of the indications that you’re suffering from chronic Sexist Butthead Syndrome, as demonstrated in your brief e-mail: 1. You went out of your way to find out the gender composition of the department you’d be working for; 2. You believe you would “not fit in,” which demonstrates your probably well-founded feeling that you don’t relate well to women in a professional environment; 3. You cite some troglodyte survey saying that a “high percentage of the population” would rather work for a man. Any man? As opposed to any woman? Nice job of generalizing, dude! 4. You use the phrase “good ol’ boys” without irony; 5. You are concerned that a better salary would not offset the loss of golf; 6. Your conviction that “females” do not drink or swear. My experience is that they do both quite nicely. At any rate, I believe there’s hope for you. You’re asking questions; that’s a good thing. You’re considering making a change in spite of your horrendous attitudinal liabilities. And the truth is, most men, particularly those of a certain age, have had to make the same shift and have done so splendidly. You’d be amazed how sexist attitudes eventually melt away when you are compensated well to have them do so. I think you should take the job. You’d be surprised at how the number of your fellow trolls has decreased in recent years. You need to get with the new program, pronto. What you’ll find out is that women make just as good — and just as bad — managers and colleagues as men do. Sometimes better. Sometimes worse. They do tend to cry a little bit more, but that’s another story altogether.' ================= First off I don't consider myself sexist - I support feminism in it's basic form - equal opportunities for women, and oppose female discrimination. However things like this get on my nerves quite a bit, I don't consider it feminist - merely a form of PC thought policing. Note the way the response is issued, it's based on an assumption from the given evidence that the questioner is sexist - almost in a computational manner the answerer issues a text-book PC "anti-misogynist" response. The hallmarks of this are passive aggressive undertones, masked by patronising the questioner, the use of nauseating Newspeak jargon i.e. "gender composition", "professional environment", "Sexist Butthead Syndrome", "gender-dominant group" - cosy terms designed to appear scientific, but the majority derive from sociological pseudoscience. So ultimately you have a man who prefers to work with men, probably set in old ways a bit, but fair do - is branded "sexist" for having a preference when it comes to gender. Many people like to choose whether or not their doctor (or GP) is a man or a woman - does this mean their sexist too? Should they be sent to the state correctional facilities for not thinking the way they should? Shouldn't workplaces promote diversity? Not just in terms of race, sex or sexuality - but progressive, libertarian, statist and conservative views? Isn't that being discriminatory - forcing them to change their ways like hive workers, conditioning their behaviours, and correcting them, like they're political dissidents? I'm all for gender equality, and equal opportunities - but that doesn't mean that statistically on the whole, there are differences between the sexes. Male and female bosses do often work in different ways, according large professional studies, not my own insignificant experience. Does that mean I'm a troglodyte, are those studies "troglodytes" - Are the participants in the studies olms? Are they also sexist as well as blind? I mean what the questioner is saying, is hardly that offencive, old fashioned yeah, but hardly enough to call hThere's a difference between being worried about fitting in in a female dominated work group and not wanting to work with women. If a woman is more productive working with other women, and prefers it, then let her do so - vice versa for men, and people who prefer to work with both sexes. Nothing sexist, just preference. more

Resolved Question: Do you think that many people confuse feminism with misandry?

To wit: Feminism is the idea that women deserve equal rights, equal pay, equal opportunities and the right not to be harassed on the basis of her gender (essentially, in a nutshell) Misandry is the hatred of men: The idea that by virtue of "maleness" men, all men, and only men are responsible for the majority of problems here on earth. That women are entitled to special rights that men somehow owe women something by virtue of their "maleness" It seems there are a lot of people on this section who confuse the term "feminism" with "misandry" It seems to me, that very few women are misandric; they're just want equal rights etc. How is that a bad thing? Then there are a lot of guys who think that every woman who is a feminist is out to get him. Isn't what he really means is a misandrist? And here's why the question: Feminism is a good thing. Misandry is a bad thing (just like misogyny is a bad thing) And it seems like misandry, real or perceived is giving feminism a bad rap. The term (feminism) has become loaded, and shouldn't we straighten out the semantics. To reiterate, all a feminist is someone who believes in equality for women. Isn't that a given today? Who, here doesn't believe in that? Misandry is simply hating men? And I think there are very few misandrists out there, and I would think they are the bane of the feminists existence. I mean, for what real feminism is, everyone I respect is a feminist. My girlfirend is a feminist. My boss is a feminist. I am a feminist (and proud to be one), Our president is a feminist. Our secretary of state is a feminist etc, I could spend all day on this. I just think we need to get our terms straight and use the term "feminist" correctly and with pride and respect, because it is a good thing. What do you think?Good answer, Dark eyes. And I also agree with Molly that we need to be sticklers about using our terms correctly for this very reason.Really good point, Rio.Tanya's point is also good. Wouldn't it be great if we could just all call ourselves equalists without any politically loaded connotations. Believe it or not, it's not too far beyond our reach. It's been a good discussion, but now I have to go off to work..... Bleah! more

Resolved Question: Hunger and thirst are two examples of? Bio help pleasee? &Thank you :]?

1. Hunger and thirst are two examples of A. random kinesis. B. directed taxis. C. behavioral stimuli. D. circadian rhythms. 2. Animals move from a less desirable location to a more desirable location by means of A. kinesis and taxis. B. circadian rhythms. C. biological clocks. D. courtship displays. 3. Most behaviors occur in response to what kind of stimuli? A. Varied and external B. Isolated and internal C. Secondary and internal D. External and internal 4. A fish returns to reproduce in the same stream and nesting site its parents used. This behavior would be said to be A. an instinct. B. a learned behavior. C. a stimulus-response. D. an evidence of intelligence. 5. Which of these stimuli is most likely to trigger hibernation behavior? A. Higher temperatures B. Shorter days C. Lack of food D. Reduced heartbeat 6. Which phrase best describes an instinctive behavior? A. Usually performed incorrectly the first time B. Often occurs where mistakes are not costly C. Generally learned, flexible, and cumulative D. Typically innate and relatively inflexible 7. A stimulus that triggers innate behaviors is called a(n) A. instinct. B. releaser. C. trigger. D. signal. 8. Habituation and imprinting illustrate that behaviors are made up of what? A. Simple responses to complex stimuli B. Both innate and learned components C. Reversible stimulus response learning D. Unchanging responses to preset stimuli 9. Animals are able to adapt to new situations because they can learn to A. modify their behaviors. B. perform innate behaviors. C. imprint on individuals. D. imitate their parents. 10. A process in which an animal learns to associate a previously neutral stimulus with a behavior that was once triggered by a different stimulus is called A. habitual imprinting. B. role model imitation. C. classical conditioning. D. parental conditioning. 11. What is associated with all animal behaviors? A. Risk of death or injury B. Success in reproduction C. Fitness enhancement D. Both benefits and costs 12. A likely cost to an animal of even a beneficial behavior is A. added behavioral opportunities. B. uncertain likelihood of surviving. C. greater area of territorial control. D. increased energy consumption. 13. The term given for the number of individuals of a species that do not die in a given year is A. competition. B. survivorship. C. natural selection. D. territorial group. 14. An animal's behavior improves the animal's fitness when the behavior's A. risks are reduced over time. B. benefits outweigh its costs. C. costs are not immediate. D. costs and benefits are equal. 15. According to the theory of optimal foraging, natural selection should favor behaviors that get animals the A. most calories for the cost. B. largest volume of food. C. quickest foraging time. D. best selection of food. 16. Living in a social group evolves in species in which the costs of living in a group A. does not affect the risk of predation. B. are outnumbered by the benefits. C. depend on social hierarchies. D. increase over time. 17. Behaviors animals use when interacting with members of their own, or other species are called A. social behaviors. B. inclusive fitness. C. eusocial actions. D. kin selections. 18. What is the term for the kind of behavior in which an animal reduces its own fitness to help other members of its social group? A. Kinship B. Inclusive C. Eusocial D. Altruism 19. A chimpanzee is unable to reach inside an insect nest to catch and eat the insects. The chimp locates a long stick she can poke into the insect nest and uses it to capture the insects. Is this evidence of cognitive ability? A. No, chimps are guided by instincts only. B. No, cognitive ability must involve communication. C. Yes, ability to capture prey indicates cognitive ability. D. Yes, using tools indicates cognitive ability. 20. The owner of a bird feeder places the feeder on a post with a slinky to discourage squirrels. A squirrel approaches the post and unsuccessfully attempts to climb to the feeder. The squirrel then climbs a tree that hangs over the feeder and jumps down to the feeder. Is this evidence of cognitive ability? A. No, squirrels are guided by instincts only. B. No, cognitive ability must involve communication. C. Yes, problem-solving ability shows cognitive ability. D. Yes, ability to gain food shows cognitive ability. 21. The ability to solve a problem mentally without repeated trial and error is called A. insight. B. genius. C. cognition. D. perception. 22. Animals that are able to solve problems possess A. ability to note changes. B. social structures. more

Resolved Question: social studies help please?

During the first part of the 19th century, differences between the North, South, and West led to (1) sectionalism (3) federalism (2) isolationism (4) mercantilism The term business monopoly can best be described as 1. the most common form of business in the United States 2. government control of the means of production 3. an agreement between partners to manage a corporation 4. a company that controls or dominates an industry Which long-awaited goal of the women's rights movement was achieved during the Progressive Era? 1. right to vote 2. right to own property 3. equal pay for equal work 4. equal access to employment and education The Sherman Antitrust Act and the Clayton Antitrust Act were passed in an effort to 1. promote the formation of new trusts 2. maintain competition in business 3. increase business investment 4. limit the activities of foreign corporations A belief in manifest destiny, the passage of the Dawes Act, and the completion of the transcontinental railroad are most closely associated with the 1. rise of big business 2. growth of the labor movement 3. abolitionist movement 4. expansion and settlement of the West Poll taxes, grandfather clauses, and literacy tests were attempts by Southern white legislators to 1. restrict the migration of African Americans to the North 2. increase the number of Republican voters 3. prevent African Americans from voting 4. improve public education in the South Which event led directly to the secession of Southern States from the Union in 1860 and 1861? (1) election of Abraham Lincoln as president (2) passage of the Kansas-Nebraska Act (3) adoption of a new fugitive slave law (4) decision of the Supreme Court in Dred Scott Case In the South, Jim Crow laws passed during the late 19th century were designed to 1. make sure that the 14th Amendment would be enforced 2. provide employment opportunities for the newly freed African Americans 3. create separate societies for whites and African Americans 4. guarantee civil rights for African Americans more

Resolved Question: Under these definitions, don't you agree "Liberal" is the right way the Founding Fathers would want America?

Liberalism is a broad class of political philosophies that considers individual liberty and equality to be the most important political goals.Liberalism emphasizes individual rights and equality of opportunity,freedom of thought and speech, limitations on the power of governments, the rule of law, an individual's right to private property,and a transparent system of government.Liberalism has its roots in the Age of Enlightenment(etc.Founding Fathers, American Declaration of Independence, the United States Bill of Rights)in which reason was advocated as the primary source and legitimacy for authority and rejects many foundational assumptions that dominated most earlier theories of government, established religion. Conservatism is a political and social term from the Latin verb conservare meaning to save or preserve. As the name suggests it usually indicates support for tradition and traditional values ,fiscal conservatism, supply-side economics, social conservatism, libertarian conservatism, bioconservatism and religious conservatism,as well as support for a strong military.US President Abraham Lincoln wrote, that conservatism is "the adherence to the old and tried, against the new and untried."social conservatives emphasize traditional views of social units such as the family, church, or locale,many religious conservatives believe that government should have a role in defending moral values,lower taxes and government spending.Some of what conservatives and libertarians consider victimless crimes such as sodomy have been decriminalized in the United States.Some states and local governments have relaxed laws on marijuana use and medical marijuana, though conservatives and some libertarians argue that the War on Drugs still constitutes one of the greatest threats to liberty in the United States as a whole. WIKIPEDIA..I COPIED AND PASTED..I DID NOT AUTHOR THE DEFINITIONS...FYI Liberal may refer to: Politics Liberalism Classical liberalism Social liberalism Liberalism has its roots in the Age of Enlightenment.....WHO WAS APART OF THE AGE OF ENLIGHTENMENT....founding fathers THE FOUNDING FATHERS, IF THEY SAW THE RESULT OF UNREGULATED GUN CONTROL, WOULD HAVE TO ADRESS THE PROBLEM IN THIS HERE MODERN SOCIETY, I COME FROM NY ARE U SERIOUS?PEOPLE RUNNING AROUND WITH UNRESTRICTED LAWS WITH GUNS.?, EVERY SIX MONTHS RENEWEL OF LICENSES, AND TIGHTER REQUIRMENTS FOR APPROVAL.....THE FOUNDING FATHERS WERE SMART ENOUGH TO KNOW THE CONSTITUTION WOULD HAVE TO BE AMENDED WITH THE TIMES...AND THOSE TIMES WOULD BE WITH A POPULATION OF 300MILLION PLUS WITH NO REGULATIONS OF ARMS..I SUPPORT THE SECOND AMENDMENT..WITH RESTRICTIONS..AND THEY WOULD TOO IN THESE TIMES.... THEY BELIEVED IN EQUAL RIGHTS...THAT WOULD INCLUDE MINORITES, WOMEN, AND HOMOSEXUALS.LIKE IT OR NOT..DON'T YOU THINK BOTH PARTIES NEED TO STOP BEING DEMONIZED, THEY BOTH OFFER VALID IDEAOLOGIES, AND CAN COMPROMISE TO BE THE MOST EFFECTIVE?I DO.I DIDN'T TWIST ANYTHING, COPY AND PASTE WOULDN'T ALLOW ME, OTHERWISE I WOULD HAVE WRITTEN MY OPINION COMPLETELY WHICH WOULD HAVE BEEN HARSH..I AGREE TO AN EXTENT THEY BOTH ARE NOT LIVING UP TO THEIR TRUE DEFINITIONS, HOWEVER THE LATTER IS MORE SO.I REALLY JUST AM ASKING..I AM NOT TELLING AS MUCH AS IT MAY SEEM..I REALLY DO WANT PEOPLE'S OPINIONS... more

Resolved Question: I really need some biology help! Please?

Hunger and thirst are two examples of A. random kinesis. B. directed taxis. C. behavioral stimuli. D. circadian rhythms. 2. Animals move from a less desirable location to a more desirable location by means of A. kinesis and taxis. B. circadian rhythms. C. biological clocks. D. courtship displays. 3. Most behaviors occur in response to what kind of stimuli? A. Varied and external B. Isolated and internal C. Secondary and internal D. External and internal 4. A fish returns to reproduce in the same stream and nesting site its parents used. This behavior would be said to be A. an instinct. B. a learned behavior. C. a stimulus-response. D. an evidence of intelligence. 5. Which of these stimuli is most likely to trigger hibernation behavior? A. Higher temperatures B. Shorter days C. Lack of food D. Reduced heartbeat 6. Which phrase best describes an instinctive behavior? A. Usually performed incorrectly the first time B. Often occurs where mistakes are not costly C. Generally learned, flexible, and cumulative D. Typically innate and relatively inflexible 7. A stimulus that triggers innate behaviors is called a(n) A. instinct. B. releaser. C. trigger. D. signal. 8. Habituation and imprinting illustrate that behaviors are made up of what? A. Simple responses to complex stimuli B. Both innate and learned components C. Reversible stimulus response learning D. Unchanging responses to preset stimuli 9. Animals are able to adapt to new situations because they can learn to A. modify their behaviors. B. perform innate behaviors. C. imprint on individuals. D. imitate their parents. 10. A process in which an animal learns to associate a previously neutral stimulus with a behavior that was once triggered by a different stimulus is called A. habitual imprinting. B. role model imitation. C. classical conditioning. D. parental conditioning. 11. What is associated with all animal behaviors? A. Risk of death or injury B. Success in reproduction C. Fitness enhancement D. Both benefits and costs 12. A likely cost to an animal of even a beneficial behavior is A. added behavioral opportunities. B. uncertain likelihood of surviving. C. greater area of territorial control. D. increased energy consumption. 13. The term given for the number of individuals of a species that do not die in a given year is A. competition. B. survivorship. C. natural selection. D. territorial group. 14. An animal's behavior improves the animal's fitness when the behavior's A. risks are reduced over time. B. benefits outweigh its costs. C. costs are not immediate. D. costs and benefits are equal. 15. According to the theory of optimal foraging, natural selection should favor behaviors that get animals the A. most calories for the cost. B. largest volume of food. C. quickest foraging time. D. best selection of food. 16. Living in a social group evolves in species in which the costs of living in a group A. does not affect the risk of predation. B. are outnumbered by the benefits. C. depend on social hierarchies. D. increase over time. 17. Behaviors animals use when interacting with members of their own, or other species are called A. social behaviors. B. inclusive fitness. C. eusocial actions. D. kin selections. 18. What is the term for the kind of behavior in which an animal reduces its own fitness to help other members of its social group? A. Kinship B. Inclusive C. Eusocial D. Altruism 19. A chimpanzee is unable to reach inside an insect nest to catch and eat the insects. The chimp locates a long stick she can poke into the insect nest and uses it to capture the insects. Is this evidence of cognitive ability? A. No, chimps are guided by instincts only. B. No, cognitive ability must involve communication. C. Yes, ability to capture prey indicates cognitive ability. D. Yes, using tools indicates cognitive ability. 20. The owner of a bird feeder places the feeder on a post with a slinky to discourage squirrels. A squirrel approaches the post and unsuccessfully attempts to climb to the feeder. The squirrel then climbs a tree that hangs over the feeder and jumps down to the feeder. Is this evidence of cognitive ability? A. No, squirrels are guided by instincts only. B. No, cognitive ability must involve communication. C. Yes, problem-solving ability shows cognitive ability. D. Yes, ability to gain food shows cognitive ability. 21. The ability to solve a problem mentally without repeated trial and error is called A. insight. B. genius. C. cognition. D. perception. 22. Animals that are able to solve problems possess A. ability to note changes. B. social structures. more

Resolved Question: biology help!!! insight students?

Voting Question: equality of relationships?

I need help answering questions about short passage. Esteban and Carmen O., a Salvadorian couple, sought help at a community mental health clinic in the Vancouver area. Mr. O. had recently come to Canada with only a high school education, but had already acquired several successful printing shops. Carmen, his wife, was born and raised in Florida and came to Canada recently. The two had a whirlwind courtship that resulted in a marriage after only a three-month acquaintance. She described her husband as being outspoken, confident, and a strong person who could be affectionate and sensitive. Carmen used the term "machismo" several times to describe Esteban. The couple had sought counseling after a series of rather heated arguments over his long work hours and his tendency to "go drinking with the boys" after work. She missed his companionship, which was constantly present during their courtship, but now seemed strangely absent. Carmen, who had graduated from UBC with a BA in business, had been working as a secretary and was on the verge of being promoted to an administrative assistant when she met Esteban. She resigned her position prior to her marriage, with the urging of Esteban who stated that "it was beneath her" and that he was capable of supporting both of them. Both had agreed to seek outside help with their marital difficulties, and they had been assigned to Dr. Carla B., a White woman psychologist. The initial session with the couple was characterized by Esteban doing most of the talking. Indeed, Dr. B. was quite put off by what she characterized as Esteban's arrogant attitude. He frequently spoke for this wife and interrupted Dr. B. often, not allowing her to finish questions or make comments. Esteban stated that he understood his wife's desire to spend more time with him, but that he needed to seek financial security for "my children." While the couple did not have any children at the present time, it was obvious that Esteban expected to have many with his wife. He jokingly stated, "After three or four boys, she won't have time to miss me." It was obvious that his remark had a strong impact on Carmen as she appeared quite surprised. Dr. B., who during this session had been trying to give Carmen an opportunity to express her thoughts and feelings, seized the opportunity. She asked Carmen how she felt about having children. As Carmen began to answer, Esteban blurted out quickly, "Of course, she wants children. All women want children." At this point Dr. B. (obviously angry) confronted Esteban about his tendency to answer or speak for this wife and the inconsiderate manner in which he kept interrupting everyone. Why aren't you at home caring for your husband? What you need is a real man." While Dr. B. did not fall for what she considered to be a baiting tactic she was, nevertheless, quite angry. The session was terminated shortly thereafter. During the next few weeks, Carmen came alone to the sessions without her husband, who refused to return. Their sessions consisted of dealing with Esteban's sexist attitude and the ways she could be her "own person." Dr. B. stressed the fact that Carmen had an equal right in the decisions made in the home, that she should not allow anyone to oppress her, that she did not need her husband's approval to return to her former job, and that having children was an equal and joint responsibility. During this period, the couple separated from one another. It was a difficult period for Carmen who came for therapy regularly to talk about her need "to be my own person," a phrase used often by Dr. B. Carmen and Esteban finally divorced after only a year of marriage. Questions: 1. What egalitarian attitude held by the therapist may be in conflict with Salvadorian values concerning male-female relationships and the division of responsibilities in the household? Are these values sexist? 2. Is it right to impose one's values and beliefs upon a culturally different group no matter how strongly we believe in them (women should have equal rights and not be oppressed)? 3. How might the gender of the counselor affect his/her credibility when working with culturally different clients? In this case, what Salvadorian cultural values might make it difficult for Esteban to see a White female psychologist? 4. What does the concept "machismo" mean? 5. If you were the counselor, what course of action would you take? Why? more

Resolved Question: Legal Advice, can anybody help me?

The following message was in my mailbox and i am wondering what in the world it means... please help.. UNITED STATES DISTRICT COURT FOR THE EASTERN DISTRICT OF VIRGINIA Richmond Division KEYANN GLADDEN, Plaintiff, v. NAVY FEDERAL CREDIT UNION, Defendant. ) ) ) ) ) ) ) ) ) ) Civil No. 3:08-cv-304 (REP) NOTICE OF A PROPOSED CLASS ACTION SETTLEMENT, FINAL FAIRNESS HEARING AND RIGHT TO APPEAR YOU ARE NOT BEING SUED. THIS IS NOT AN ATTORNEY'S SOLICITATION. This notice is sent to you because the records of Navy Federal Credit Union show that it received a credit application from you between May 21, 2006 and January 30, 2009, and Navy Federal denied that application – either directly or through a car dealer. In its denial letter to you, Navy Federal stated as the only reason for the denial that unspecified information in your credit bureau report did not meet Navy Federal’s lending criteria. The Plaintiff in this case sued alleging that this violated a Federal law – the Equal Credit Opportunity Act. Navy Federal denied that it violated the law and is prepared to defend the content of its denial letter. To avoid the expense and uncertainty of litigation, the parties then reached a proposed settlement of all such claims, including yours. This notice tells you what rights and options you have in this matter. PLEASE READ THIS NOTICE CAREFULLY, AS YOU ARE A CLASS MEMBER IN A LAWSUIT AND YOUR LEGAL RIGHTS MAY BE AFFECTED BY THE PROPOSED SETTLEMENT. THIS NOTICE ADVISES YOU OF IMPORTANT FACTS REGARDING A PROPOSED CLASS ACTION SETTLEMENT BETWEEN YOU AND OTHER MEMBERS, ON THE ONE HAND, AND NAVY FEDERAL ON THE OTHER HAND. THIS NOTICE EXPLAINS THE SETTLEMENT AND ADVISES YOU OF YOUR RIGHTS WITH RESPECT TO THE SETTLEMENT. THE STATEMENTS MADE IN THIS NOTICE ARE NOT FINDINGS OF THE COURT. 1 WHAT THIS NOTICE PACKAGE CONTAINS CAPITALIZED WORDS AND PHRASES IN THIS NOTICE PACKAGE INDICATE TERMS THAT ARE SPECIALLY DEFINED IN THE STIPULATION OF SETTLEMENT, WHICH IS AVAILABLE AT WWW.NAVYFEDERAL.ORG/CASESETTLEMENT/. I. BASIC INFORMATION PAGE 1. Summary 3 2. What is this Lawsuit about? 3 3. Why is this a class action? 3 4. Why did you receive this Notice Package? 3 5. What is the status of the Lawsuit? 3 6. Will you have to give up anything if the Stipulation is given Final Approval? 4 II. SETTLEMENT BENEFITS 7. What relief will be provided under the Stipulation? 4 8. Who will pay the costs of implementing and administering the Stipulation? 5 9. How and when will the relief offered under the Stipulation be provided? 5 III. LEGAL EFFECT OF THE SETTLEMENT 10. What am I giving up as part of the settlement? 5 11. Can the parties change the terms of the settlement? 6 12. Does the Stipulation have any current legal effect? 6 IV. YOUR LEGAL RIGHTS AND OPTIONS 13. What are your options as to the Stipulation? 6 14. If the Stipulation is given Final Approval, what must you do to receive relief? 6 15. What if you want to object to the proposed Stipulation? 7 16. What if you want to exclude yourself from the settlement? 8 V. THE COURT'S FINAL FAIRNESS HEARING 17. Will there be a Court hearing about the Stipulation? 8 VI. COUNSEL REPRESENTING SETTLEMENT CLASS MEMBERS 18. Who are the attorneys representing Settlement Class Members? 8 19. How will counsel for Settlement Class Members be paid? 8 20. Do you need to hire your own attorney in connection with the Stipulation? 9 VII. GETTING MORE INFORMATION 21. Where can you get additional information? 9 APPENDIX A ---- Release 10 APPENDIX B ---- Summary Of Your Legal Rights And Options In This Settlement 12 2 I. BASIC INFORMATION 1. Summary This is a proposed settlement in a class action lawsuit that could affect your rights. Under this proposed settlement, neither you nor other class members will receive a cash payment. 2. What is this Lawsuit about? This Lawsuit concerns the content of the notice that Navy Federal provides to individuals who apply for credit with Navy Federal and are denied. Under the federal Equal Credit Opportunity Act (“ECOA”), Navy Federal is required to provide a declined credit applicant a statement of the specific reasons for the denial. The Plaintiff in this lawsuit applied for credit with Navy Federal and Navy Federal denied her application. Navy Federal sent her an Adverse Action Notice that stated that the reason for the denial was the existence of unspecified information in her credit bureau report. Plaintiff contends that Navy Federal violated ECOA by failing to identify with sufficient specificity the reason for the denial. Navy Federal denies the allegations made against it. Navy Federal also maintains that it has fully complied with all requirements of ECOA and provided Plaintiff with an Adverse Action Notice containing numerous avenues to obtain the specific reasons for the denial of her application, including a free copy of her credit bureau report, a toll-free number to contact Navy Federal to obtain a more

Resolved Question: PLZZZ BIOLOGY HELP!!!?

1.Hunger and thirst are two examples of A.random kinesis. B.directed taxis. C.behavioral stimuli. D.circadian rhythms. 2.Animals move from a less desirable location to a more desirable location by means of A.kinesis and taxis. B.circadian rhythms. C.biological clocks. D.courtship displays. 3.Most behaviors occur in response to what kind of stimuli? A.Varied and external B.Isolated and internal C.Secondary and internal D.External and internal 4.A fish returns to reproduce in the same stream and nesting site its parents used. This behavior would be said to be A.an instinct. B.a learned behavior. C.a stimulus-response. D.an evidence of intelligence. 5.Which of these stimuli is most likely to trigger hibernation behavior? A.Higher temperatures B.Shorter days C.Lack of food D.Reduced heartbeat 6.Which phrase best describes an instinctive behavior? A.Usually performed incorrectly the first time B.Often occurs where mistakes are not costly C.Generally learned, flexible, and cumulative D.Typically innate and relatively inflexible 7.A stimulus that triggers innate behaviors is called a(n) A.instinct. B.releaser. C.trigger. D.signal. 8.Habituation and imprinting illustrate that behaviors are made up of what? A.Simple responses to complex stimuli B.Both innate and learned components C.Reversible stimulus response learning D.Unchanging responses to preset stimuli 9.Animals are able to adapt to new situations because they can learn to A.modify their behaviors. B.perform innate behaviors. C.imprint on individuals. D.imitate their parents. 10.A process in which an animal learns to associate a previously neutral stimulus with a behavior that was once triggered by a different stimulus is called A.habitual imprinting. B.role model imitation. C.classical conditioning. D.parental conditioning. 11.What is associated with all animal behaviors? A.Risk of death or injury B.Success in reproduction C.Fitness enhancement D.Both benefits and costs 12.A likely cost to an animal of even a beneficial behavior is A.added behavioral opportunities. B.uncertain likelihood of surviving. C.greater area of territorial control. D.increased energy consumption. 13.The term given for the number of individuals of a species that do not die in a given year is A.competition. B.survivorship. C.natural selection. D.territorial group. 14.An animal's behavior improves the animal's fitness when the behavior's A.risks are reduced over time. B.benefits outweigh its costs. C.costs are not immediate. D.costs and benefits are equal. 15.According to the theory of optimal foraging, natural selection should favor behaviors that get animals the A.most calories for the cost. B.largest volume of food. C.quickest foraging time. D.best selection of food. 16.Living in a social group evolves in species in which the costs of living in a group A.does not affect the risk of predation. B.are outnumbered by the benefits. C.depend on social hierarchies. D.increase over time. 17.Behaviors animals use when interacting with members of their own, or other species are called A.social behaviors. B.inclusive fitness. C.eusocial actions. D.kin selections. 18.What is the term for the kind of behavior in which an animal reduces its own fitness to help other members of its social group? A.Kinship B.Inclusive C.Eusocial D.Altruism 19.A chimpanzee is unable to reach inside an insect nest to catch and eat the insects. The chimp locates a long stick she can poke into the insect nest and uses it to capture the insects. Is this evidence of cognitive ability? A.No, chimps are guided by instincts only. B.No, cognitive ability must involve communication. C.Yes, ability to capture prey indicates cognitive ability. D.Yes, using tools indicates cognitive ability. 20.The owner of a bird feeder places the feeder on a post with a slinky to discourage squirrels. A squirrel approaches the post and unsuccessfully attempts to climb to the feeder. The squirrel then climbs a tree that hangs over the feeder and jumps down to the feeder. Is this evidence of cognitive ability? A.No, squirrels are guided by instincts only. B.No, cognitive ability must involve communication. C.Yes, problem-solving ability shows cognitive ability. D.Yes, ability to gain food shows cognitive ability. 21.The ability to solve a problem mentally without repeated trial and error is called A.insight. B.genius. C.cognition. D.perception. 22.Animals that are able to solve problems possess A.ability to note changes. B.social structures. C.cultural behaviors. D.cognitive ability. 23.The mental process of knowing through perception or reasoning is called A.insight. B.awareness. C.cognition. D.cultural behavior. 24.Being able to identify allies and more

Resolved Question: Feminist battle plan part 2! Your thoughts please?

Nature dictates that men cannot resist a powerful and confident female due to the sexuality factor. Men are wired a certain way and men become docile and weak around powerful women. If indeed 77% of all schoolteachers are female, then that just means that more and more women are becoming female authority figures to boys. Between this and the number of single mother homes, the seeds of submission to the female gender are being watered with more intensity within young boys. It is not a planned war on boys but rather a product of the ever-changing society we live in. The bottom line is that the Genie is out of her bottle. Women are liberated in the west and I believe that there is no stopping the inevitable of what that liberation means for both genders. It is a process and society is not what it was twenty years ago and some people are having trouble adapting to these changes. Likewise, society is not where it will be twenty years from now. Just think for a minute what the current trend suggests about the future. If women get the higher degrees, that will eventually translate into the positions of influence in our society. The good news for boys is that women are their mothers and women will make sure that there is never a war on boys in our society. Women will ensure that both boys and girls are given an equal education and equal educational opportunities. But one thing that will never change is the submissive feelings and desires men will develop toward the female gender. The more empowered women become, the more submissive men will become. What is occurring is not an orchestrated plan devised by radical feminists but merely nature taking her course. >>From the above I infer that the author believes that men and male biological purpose to the pair bond is increasingly becoming unnecessary. At this point it seems that men are to be kept either as an accessory within a marriage or disposed of in divorce yet bound to the subservient obligation to provide her alimony as well as child support while completely being ostracized and isolated from the family unit and denied the right to be a father. In terms of resource provision there is no difference in or out of a marriage. They dynamic of elimination of the father is seen as instrumental to the feminist movement. It is imperitive during the transition to female supremacy that male resource provision continue to be transfered to the female while the male remains in isolation from the children, especially boys. Contemporary feminist thought mildly advocates the necessity of a "positive male role model" but clearly states that a father is unnecessary to the raising of healthy children. In fact she states that the lack of a father or males in a boys life is instrumental in instilling in boys respect for sole female authority and indeed is further reinforced by the exposure of the male to predominantly female teachers and authority figures. This plan so to speak is then followed up with tactics within schools to shame and humiliate boys into subservient positions. (PLEASE SEE THE VIDEO "FEMINISM IN SCHOOLS" under blog post "feminism in popular culture") The author and many feminists believe that once male biological purpose to a pair bond is nullified ie when women are completely independent for reliance on a male to the pair bond the gates will then be open for full and complete male submission for female choice in the sexual selection process. Since male resource provision is not needed males will clamor for acceptance of female choice by any means deemed useful to females up to and including complete and utter domination of every aspect of his life. Indeed it is speculated that boys have slipped to 42% of college admissions because of a natural process or shift toward female self sufficiency. As such the author states that there are no factors in play that are lowering boys performance but this is a natural shift toward males feeling more useless as the sexually selective trait of resource provision from the male is increasingly nullified and unnecessary to the female. What she fails to see is that the incentive for ostrization of the male father from the pair bond in marriage is systemic and female choice to leave the bond of marriage is subsidized by societies natural need to provide for women and children and further supported by synthetic organizations of government husbandry such as WIC Women Infants Children and organizations of the like.http:// rebukingfeminism.blogspot .com/ please eliminate spaces in url to view my blog more

Voting Question: I need some help with these question on Economics?

1. What do economists mean when they state that a good is scarce? a. There is a shortage or insufficient supply of the good at the existing price. b. It is impossible to expand the availability of the good. c. People will want to buy more of the good regardless of price. d. The amount of the good that people would like to have exceeds the supply that is freely available from nature. 2. Economic choice and competitive behavior are the result of a. basic human greed. b. poverty. c. private ownership of resources. d. scarcity. 3. Which of the following sayings best reflects the concept of opportunity cost? a. "You can't teach an old dog new tricks." b. "Time is money." c. "I have a baker's dozen." d. "There's no business like show business." 4. Does voluntary exchange create wealth (value)? a. No, exchange does not expand output. b. No, if one person gains, the other party must lose an equal amount. c. Uncertain, it does when it results in the creation of additional goods and services; otherwise it does not. d. Yes, trade generally permits the trading partners to gain more of what they value; this is why they agree to the terms of the exchange. 5. When a price floor is above the equilibrium price, a. quantity demanded will exceed quantity supplied. b. quantity supplied will exceed quantity demanded. c. the market will be in equilibrium. d. This is a trick question because price floors generally exist below the equilibrium price. 6. The price of chicken increases as the result of higher beef prices. This indicates that a. chicken and beef are substitutes. b. chicken and beef are complements. c. the market demand for beef is inelastic. d. the market demand for chicken is elastic. 7. The invisible hand principle indicates that competitive markets can help promote the efficient use of resources a. only if buyers and sellers really care, personally, about economic efficiency. b. even when each market participant cares only about getting a "bigger slice of the pie" rather than about the overall efficiency of resource use. c. even if business firms fail to produce goods efficiently. d. if, and only if, businesses recognize their social obligation to keep costs low and use resources wisely. 8. In a market economy, an increase in demand will generally cause the equilibrium a. price to fall. b. quantity supplied to increase. c. quantity demanded to fall. d. number of firms in the market to decline. 9 If the United Auto Workers union can obtain a substantial wage increase for auto workers, the price of automobiles will rise. The rise can be attributed to a. a shift to the right in the supply curve for automobiles. b. a shift to the left in the supply curve for automobiles. c. a shift to the right in the demand curve for automobiles. d. a shift to the left in the demand curve for automobiles. 10. A decrease in demand will a. reduce supply. b. increase the quantity traded in the market. c. cause higher prices, although quantity traded in the market will decline. d. lead to a reduction in the quantity supplied. more

Resolved Question: So how do I fit into this picture?

An answer to a question I recently posted taught me something about Christianity that I didn't understand before (thank you Old Timer Too). That is: A person who lives their life without ever knowing God will be granted the understanding of God's will (eventually?) and therefore equal opportunity for salvation. This raises a few more questions with me, but first, understand I am of agnostic beliefs. I have believed in God before- in my childhood. I prayed some script from the Bible, to be forgiven of my sins, and that I accept Jesus as my savior. But then I fell out of faith. I grew a particular interest in science, which explains everything so logically. The more I learned, the more I realized the Bible is just a big book of lies, and today I doubt there is any god at all. Could this mean that I never really got to know God in the first place? I don't understand God's will (I think?) - could this mean that my equal opportunity for salvation has yet to come? For those who die before ever hearing of God, does their opportunity for salvation come in the afterlife? If not, then when? Has my opportunity come and gone, or has it yet to come? For certain, my opportunity is not now, as I cannot believe in Him. I disagree that belief is choice - belief comes from proof, or at least evidence. I can clarify this point with the following analogy: Suppose someone with a gun pointed at your head told you that a bolt of lightning will strike the house across the road in exactly 3 minutes. "You had better believe it," he says, "because if you don't, I'm going to kill you when it does!" Based on the absurdity of the statement, there is no way you could believe him, although your life may be at risk. This is exactly my position in terms of belief in God and salvation. It sure would be comforting knowing that IF it turns out that He is real, and that I dropped dead tomorrow, that I would still have my equal opportunity for salvation in the afterlife. more

Resolved Question: What's so wrong with being 'liberal'?

I'm asking because I really want to know why Republicans sometimes throw it out there like it's an insult, I don't see any problem with it at all. -Liberalism is a broad class of political philosophies that consider individual liberty to be the most important political goal.[1] Liberalism emphasizes individual rights and equality of opportunity. Within liberalism there are various streams of thought which compete over the use of the term "liberal" and may propose very different policies, but they are generally united by their support for a number of principles, including freedom of thought and speech, limitations on the power of governments, the rule of law, an individual's right to private property,[2] free markets,[2] and a transparent system of government.[3] All liberals, as well as some adherents of other political ideologies, support some variant of the form of government known as liberal democracy, with open and fair elections, where all citizens have equal rights by law.[4] Modern liberalism has its roots in the Age of Enlightenment and rejected many foundational assumptions that dominated most earlier theories of government, such as the Divine Right of Kings, hereditary status, established religion, and economic protectionism. Whereas Conservative doesn't really sound all that appealing to me, but I don't call them 'conservatards' or anything else derogatory (libtard seems to be a popular one among some): -Conservatism is a political term with different definitions. In general, conservatives support gradual change. Scholar R.J. White once put it this way: "To put conservatism in a bottle with a label is like trying to liquify the atmosphere … The difficulty arises from the nature of the thing. For conservatism is less a political doctrine than a habit of mind, a mode of feeling, a way of living."[1] Ronald Reagan often is quoted as saying: "I believe the very heart and soul of conservatism is libertarianism."[2] Russell Kirk considered conservatism "the negation of ideology". Now, before everyone throws out mean comments, I'm really asking, what, from the above, do you find so offensive? I really want to know, I'm asking with all due respect, and I in no way assume that ALL Republicans are any 'certain way'. Sources: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Liberalism http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Conservative I know 'wiki' isn't the most 'fabulous' source, I was just looking for a quick definition of both liberalism and conservative Thanks so far for the thoughtful answers and to the user who suggested I'm a college student, I'm not currently, but I am college educated. more

Resolved Question: ¿A question for young expats in the Philippines: How do you deal with Filipinos ?

""""In the Philippines a foreigner is never assimilated into the society.”They are so close to their families" meaning you will always be a total stranger. People have many reasons to consider what happiness might be. For an old retired person probably it sounds great because if you get used to the idea of becoming a waking ATM and use that to you own benefit then it might work for people who have no other choices. For me (a 20 years old person, extremely attractive and with lots of opportunities in a normal country) it is extremely depressing and frustrating to be a total stranger and surrounded by people who think I am rich and will be at all times planning and setting up how to get my money. At the end of the story (with just a couple of exceptions) you'll realize that nobody is really interested in your friendship as such. They are just thinking of them and their families; and other Filipinos are their preferred choice of friends. That's basically what you will get in the Philippines but if you get used to that way of living and learn to accept it and deal with it then you'll probably be happy in the Philippines. What is important for me is to be treated as a normal person, have a lot of good friends and be surrounded by nice people not hungry for my money.”””” This is not my isolate opinion or an isolate incident it’s the live experience of many other foreigners who live or have lived in the Philippines for several years (in my case 3 long years of immense loneliness and total frustration). Don't think that I have not tried to adjust, in fact I have developed all sorts of strategies and techniques to adjust and get along with Filipinos, I have tried everything, I have treated them well, I have observed all their customs and respected their social norms, but they are the ones who don't allow any adjustment beyond their close minded culture. A culture where a foreigner is a very rich, very superior, very beautiful person whose feelings or needs doesn't have to be minded only their money (their money for Filipinos and their families). Their culture is reduced to egoism and indifference. I just talked to a friend of mine (same nationality as me) who has been in the PI for 11 years and he totally agreed. He just said: “No matter how hard you try or how many years you spend in this country they'll never accept you as someone equal. For them you’ll always be a tourist”. Just to clarify: I don't hate Filipinos or the Philippines. I probably appreciate Filipinos and the Philippines more than they themselves do. I appreciate a lot more things than Filipinos themselves. This debate is not about the beauty of the Philippines or the charm of its culture, not even about Filipinos as such: It is about their WRONG attitude toward foreigners and how expats or long term residents (or simply immigrants ) can feel about it and learn to deal with that. more

Resolved Question: Can someone define "feminist"?

Didn't it used to mean a person who believed that females deserved human rights because they are humans? Now it seems to mean something else. Why would it be a bad thing for humans to all have the same rights? It seems like the term "feminist" has become twisted to mean "sexist" or "misandrist". Does anyone have a new word to describe a person who believes in equal rights and opportunities for both genders?No I mean can someone define it intelligently please?Marx- are you saying that the actual definition has been twisted, or are you saying that you think everyone who believes that both genders should have the same rights actually believe in female superiority?Why are there thumbs down on the people that answered the question without meanness or sarcasm? more

Resolved Question: Are we confused with our ideas of Equality and Rights? ?

I see a lot of talk about equality of the sexes, and shared (or increased rights) for a certain group of people. So I wanted to ‘pick your brains’ to see if anyone was aware what these terms mean, and the different avenues in which they can take a debate in regards to equality and rights for both the sexes. Equality is defined as the state of being equal; where as social equality is a social state of affairs in which all people within as specific society or isolated group have the same status in a certain respect. It includes equal rights under the law, such as security, voting rights, freedom of speech and assembly, to the extent of property rights. As well as equal opportunities, and obligations that involves the society as a whole. Now there’s also positive and negative rights, in which some philosophers and political scientists make a distinction between the two; stating that positive rights impose obligations on others to do something (giving women and minorities the right to vote and the right to ownership for example), while negative rights oblige others to refrain from doing something (I’m assuming Rape/sexual assault of either of the sexes for example). These may be either legal obligations in the case of legal rights or moral obligations in the case of natural rights. Can any of you tell me (based on your own personal opinion) how you feel we as a society have gotten Equality and positive/negative rights confused or how we’ve intertwined them? Meaning do you feel that by imposing negative rights upon a specific group to allow positive rights to transform, have we as a society mistaken this as being a diluted form of equality? How do you (as people) feel we as a society should achieve equality across the board for everyone, with out infringing on anyone’s Natural rights (a persons freedom of choice, the ability to simply be free)? more

Resolved Question: Mormons/LDS: Have you thought about what Pres. Monson said during the financial insanity this past week?

At the April 2006 Conference, Pres. Monson gave a talk with the following quote: "The final maka-feke I wish to mention today is one which can crush our self-esteem, ruin relationships, and leave us in desperate circumstances. It is the maka-feke of excessive debt. It is a human tendency to want the things which will give us prominence and prestige. We live in a time when borrowing is easy. We can purchase almost anything we could ever want just by using a credit card or obtaining a loan. Extremely popular are home equity loans, where one can borrow an amount of money equal to the equity he has in his home. What we may not realize is that a home equity loan is equivalent to a second mortgage. The day of reckoning will come if we have continually lived beyond our means. My brothers and sisters, avoid the philosophy that yesterday’s luxuries have become today’s necessities. They aren’t necessities unless we make them so. Many enter into long-term debt only to find that changes occur: people become ill or incapacitated, companies fail or downsize, jobs are lost, natural disasters befall us. For many reasons, payments on large amounts of debt can no longer be made. Our debt becomes as a Damocles sword hanging over our heads and threatening to destroy us. I urge you to live within your means. One cannot spend more than one earns and remain solvent. I promise you that you will then be happier than you would be if you were constantly worrying about how to make the next payment on nonessential debt. In the Doctrine and Covenants we read: “Pay the debt thou hast contracted. … Release thyself from bondage.” You can read the talk in it's entirety here: http://www.lds.org/ldsorg/v/index.jsp?vgnextoid=2354fccf2b7db010VgnVCM1000004d82620aRCRD&locale=0&sourceId=d358e2270ed6c010VgnVCM1000004d82620a____&hideNav=1 I was reminded of this talk today in Relief Society and thought about how relevant it was after the last week's financial crisis that will continue into next week. Any thoughts? *NOTE* This is a fairly specific question directed to a specific group of people. Do not use this as an opportunity to attack a faith, or you will be in violation of Y!A Community Guidelines. more

Resolved Question: Republicans and Small Government?

Can anybody tell me how the Republican Party has a leg to stand on in the case of what must be traditionally the main component of their platform, government size. At least in terms of the biggest social issues of the day it seems to me that they are largely NOT in favor of states rights. Abortion, In favor of a constitutional ban. The same with the issue of Gay marriage. In both of these issues states have made decisions yet Republicans want to make these decisions for the entire country. I may be willing to give them small gov't on Gun control, however I think that we can all agree that machine guns and assault rifles need to be kept out of criminal hands. It seems to me that instead what Republicans mean when they say Small Government is that they are against government assistance to poor and middle class Americans in favor of business. Speaking strictly on the issues and the state of the economy, How can this be justified? Is it not Government's responsibility to look after its people and their interests? Should our focus not be on enhancing the lives of everyone not just the privileged? Should we all not have equal access to the same opportunities as Americans? PS Only reply if you have something constructive to say.I completely understand that the criminals will find a way to get whatever they want I just think that we shouldnt make it easier for them. Second, Do we really need machine guns to protect our homes. I am in favor of gun in order to protect ourselves and our homes, I just dont think I need an AK-47I admit to not knowing the specifics of McCains plans regarding Gay Marriage, however I am Speaking of the Republican party as a wholeExcerpt from Obamas Official Website Employer Contribution: Employers that do not offer or make a meaningful contribution to the cost of quality health coverage for their employees will be required to contribute a percentage of payroll toward the costs of the national plan. Small businesses will be exempt from this requirement, and will receive a new Small Business Health Tax Credit that helps reduce health care costs for small businesses. From the way it reads to me The only companies affected would be those who in teory could afford it but cut the coverage in favor of profit increases. Also does not require you to get employees healthcare just to pay a percentage into the national planI agree with you freedle Especially your last line and it is that that worries me, I am a yound man out of college about a year ago and am able to sustain myself. But not everyone has the same opportunities. The increase in feul has been passed along to consumers and the average american has been given no relief the poor are suffering. I believe that is something government should addressOut2Lunch You make some valid points People in general HAVE confused Want with need, These are not the ones I speak of, If you buy a Luxury item and dont have your necessities covered shame on you and you should not look to the govt for assistance. However I would strongly disaggree with you about having equal access to opportunites. I think that we can all agree that you cannot choose the situation that you are born into. If your family Cannot afford to move into a better school district than you are stuck with trying to make the best of inferior tools. This makes it harder to get into a good school and equally difficult for you to get a job that will allow you to move in order that your childeren get an adequate education. Lets not pretend that all it takes is will to get anywhere in life, It is at least equal parts will, luck, money, and opportunityThanks Chris, The only thing that I would say is can anyone name one thing that has gone down in cost over the last 8 years under the current tax situation?Ok Guys I wont be watching this anymore today But thank you to everyone who commented so far and for keeping things civil. Am I an Idealist yes, I am not in favor of a classless society because lets face it even I have benefited from class. However I do believe that there are far too many living in poverty in the richest country in the world. Chris I looked up the assualt weapons definition and came accross this Q&A, http://www.bradycampaign.org/facts/faqs/?page=awb Please find me some factual, not emotional, info against the ban. I dont intend to change any minds because these issues are at the center of everything that we believe. Thank for the discussion, I will check later and only respond if asked. more

Resolved Question: Thoughts on Theodore Kaczynski

If anybody's bored enough to read all this, and has any interest in social or political movements, take a look at this. My questions are do you agree or disagree with these statements? Why or why not? What mischaracterizations does Mr. Kaczynski state that you can prove beyond a reasonable doubt are not true? __________________ 15. Leftists tend to hate anything that has an image of being strong, good and successful. They hate America, they hate Western civilization, they hate white males, they hate rationality. The reasons that leftists give for hating the West, etc. clearly do not correspond with their real motives. They SAY they hate the West because it is warlike, imperialistic, sexist, ethnocentric and so forth, but where these same faults appear in socialist countries or in primitive cultures, the leftist finds excuses for them, or at best he GRUDGINGLY admits that they exist; whereas he ENTHUSIASTICALLY points out (and often greatly exaggerates) these faults where they appear in Western civilization. Thus it is clear that these faults are not the leftist's real motive for hating America and the West. He hates America and the West because they are strong and successful. 16. Words like "self-confidence," "self-reliance," "initiative", "enterprise," "optimism," etc. play little role in the liberal and leftist vocabulary. The leftist is anti-individualistic, pro-collectivist. He wants society to solve everyone's needs for them, take care of them. He is not the sort of person who has an inner sense of confidence in his own ability to solve his own problems and satisfy his own needs. The leftist is antagonistic to the concept of competition because, deep inside, he feels like a loser. 17. Art forms that appeal to modern leftist intellectuals tend to focus on sordidness, defeat and despair, or else they take an orgiastic tone, throwing off rational control as if there were no hope of accomplishing anything through rational calculation and all that was left was to immerse oneself in the sensations of the moment. 18. Modern leftist philosophers tend to dismiss reason, science, objective reality and to insist that everything is culturally relative. It is true that one can ask serious questions about the foundations of scientific knowledge and about how, if at all, the concept of objective reality can be defined. But it is obvious that modern leftist philosophers are not simply cool-headed logicians systematically analyzing the foundations of knowledge. They are deeply involved emotionally in their attack on truth and reality. They attack these concepts because of their own psychological needs. For one thing, their attack is an outlet for hostility, and, to the extent that it is successful, it satisfies the drive for power. More importantly, the leftist hates science and rationality because they classify certain beliefs as true (i.e., successful, superior) and other beliefs as false (i.e. failed, inferior). The leftist's feelings of inferiority run so deep that he cannot tolerate any classification of some things as successful or superior and other things as failed or inferior. This also underlies the rejection by many leftists of the concept of mental illness and of the utility of IQ tests. Leftists are antagonistic to genetic explanations of human abilities or behavior because such explanations tend to make some persons appear superior or inferior to others. Leftists prefer to give society the credit or blame for an individual's ability or lack of it. Thus if a person is "inferior" it is not his fault, but society's, because he has not been brought up properly. 19. The leftist is not typically the kind of person whose feelings of inferiority make him a braggart, an egotist, a bully, a self-promoter, a ruthless competitor. This kind of person has not wholly lost faith in himself. He has a deficit in his sense of power and self-worth, but he can still conceive of himself as having the capacity to be strong, and his efforts to make himself strong produce his unpleasant behavior. [1] But the leftist is too far gone for that. His feelings of inferiority are so ingrained that he cannot conceive of himself as individually strong and valuable. Hence the collectivism of the leftist. He can feel strong only as a member of a large organization or a mass movement with which he identifies himself. 20. Notice the masochistic tendency of leftist tactics. Leftists protest by lying down in front of vehicles, they intentionally provoke police or racists to abuse them, etc. These tactics may often be effective, but many leftists use them not as a means to an end but because they PREFER masochistic tactics. Self-hatred is a leftist trait. 21. Leftists may claim that their activism is motivated by compassion or by moral principle, and moral principle does play a role for the leftist of the oversocialized type. But compassion and moral principle cannot be the main motives for leftist activism. Hostility is too prominent a component of leftist behavior; so is the drive for power. Moreover, much leftist behavior is not rationally calculated to be of benefit to the people whom the leftists claim to be trying to help. For example, if one believes that affirmative action is good for black people, does it make sense to demand affirmative action in hostile or dogmatic terms? Obviously it would be more productive to take a diplomatic and conciliatory approach that would make at least verbal and symbolic concessions to white people who think that affirmative action discriminates against them. But leftist activists do not take such an approach because it would not satisfy their emotional needs. Helping black people is not their real goal. Instead, race problems serve as an excuse for them to express their own hostility and frustrated need for power. In doing so they actually harm black people, because the activists' hostile attitude toward the white majority tends to intensify race hatred. 22. If our society had no social problems at all, the leftists would have to INVENT problems in order to provide themselves with an excuse for making a fuss. ... 28. The leftist of the oversocialized type tries to get off his psychological leash and assert his autonomy by rebelling. But usually he is not strong enough to rebel against the most basic values of society. Generally speaking, the goals of today's leftists are NOT in conflict with the accepted morality. On the contrary, the left takes an accepted moral principle, adopts it as its own, and then accuses mainstream society of violating that principle. Examples: racial equality, equality of the sexes, helping poor people, peace as opposed to war, nonviolence generally, freedom of expression, kindness to animals. More fundamentally, the duty of the individual to serve society and the duty of society to take care of the individual. All these have been deeply rooted values of our society (or at least of its middle and upper classes (4) for a long time. These values are explicitly or implicitly expressed or presupposed in most of the material presented to us by the mainstream communications media and the educational system. Leftists, especially those of the oversocialized type, usually do not rebel against these principles but justify their hostility to society by claiming (with some degree of truth) that society is not living up to these principles. ... When the Bolsheviks in Russia were outsiders, they vigorously opposed censorship and the secret police, they advocated self-determination for ethnic minorities, and so forth; but as soon as they came into power themselves, they imposed a tighter censorship and created a more ruthless secret police than any that had existed under the tsars, and they oppressed ethnic minorities at least as much as the tsars had done. In the United States, a couple of decades ago when leftists were a minority in our universities, leftist professors were vigorous proponents of academic freedom, but today, in those universities where leftists have become dominant, they have shown themselves ready to take away from everyone else's academic freedom. (This is "political correctness.") [note: this is on display all over the place. The movie "Expelled" is a reaction to it. Haven't seen it, but I want to] ... Various thinkers have pointed out that leftism is a kind of religion. Leftism is not a religion in the strict sense because leftist doctrine does not postulate the existence of any supernatural being. But for the leftist, leftism plays a psychological role much like that which religion plays for some people. The leftist NEEDS to believe in leftism; it plays a vital role in his psychological economy. His beliefs are not easily modified by logic or facts. He has a deep conviction that leftism is morally Right with a capital R, and that he has not only a right but a duty to impose leftist morality on everyone. (However, many of the people we are referring to as "leftists" do not think of themselves as leftists and would not describe their system of beliefs as leftism. ... Leftism is totalitarian force. Wherever leftism is in a position of power it tends to invade every private corner and force every thought into a leftist mold. In part this is because of the quasi-religious character of leftism; everything contrary to leftists beliefs represents Sin. More importantly, leftism is a totalitarian force because of the leftists' drive for power. The leftist seeks to satisfy his need for power through identification with a social movement and he tries to go through the power process by helping to pursue and attain the goals of the movement (see paragraph 83). But no matter how far the movement has gone in attaining its goals the leftist is never satisfied, because his activism is a surrogate activity (see paragraph 41). That is, the leftist's real motive is not to attain the ostensible goals of leftism; in reality he is motivated by the sense of power he gets from struggling for and then reaching a social goal.[35] Consequently the leftist is never satisfied with the goals he has already attained; his need for the power process leads him always to pursue some new goal. The leftist wants equal opportunities for minorities. When that is attained he insists on statistical equality of achievement by minorities. And as long as anyone harbors in some corner of his mind a negative attitude toward some minority, the leftist has to re-educated him. And ethnic minorities are not enough; no one can be allowed to have a negative attitude toward homosexuals, disabled people, fat people, old people, ugly people, and on and on and on. It's not enough that the public should be informed about the hazards of smoking; a warning has to be stamped on every package of cigarettes. Then cigarette advertising has to be restricted if not banned. The activists will never be satisfied until tobacco is outlawed, and after that it will be alco hot then junk food, etc. Activists have fought gross child abuse, which is reasonable. But now they want to stop all spanking. When they have done that they will want to ban something else they consider unwholesome, then another thing and then another. They will never be satisfied until they have complete control over all child rearing practices. And then they will move on to another cause. 220. Suppose you asked leftists to make a list of ALL the things that were wrong with society, and then suppose you instituted EVERY social change that they demanded. It is safe to say that within a couple of years the majority of leftists would find something new to complain about, some new social "evil" to correct because, once again, the leftist is motivated less by distress at society's ills than by the need to satisfy his drive for power by imposing his solutions on society. 221. Because of the restrictions placed on their thoughts and behavior by their high level of socialization, many leftists of the over-socialized type cannot pursue power in the ways that other people do. For them the drive for power has only one morally acceptable outlet, and that is in the struggle to impose their morality on everyone. ... Some readers may say, "This stuff about leftism is a lot of crap. I know John and Jane who are leftish types and they don't have all these totalitarian tendencies." It's quite true that many leftists, possibly even a numerical majority, are decent people who sincerely believe in tolerating others' values (up to a point) and wouldn't want to use high-handed methods to reach their social goals. Our remarks about leftism are not meant to apply to every individual leftist but to describe the general character of leftism as a movement. And the general character of a movement is not necessarily determined by the numerical proportions of the various kinds of people involved in the movement. ... before the breakdown of communism in the USSR, leftish types in the West would seldom criticize that country. If prodded they would admit that the USSR did many wrong things, but then they would try to find excuses for the communists and begin talking about the faults of the West. They always opposed Western military resistance to communist aggression. Leftish types all over the world vigorously protested the U.S. military action in Vietnam, but when the USSR invaded Afghanistan they did nothing. Not that they approved of the Soviet actions; but because of their leftist faith, they just couldn't bear to put themselves in opposition to communism. Today, in those of our universities where "political correctness" has become dominant, there are probably many leftish types who privately disapprove of the suppression of academic freedom, but they go along with it anyway. _____________ [note, if you recognize this, no I absolutely don't agree with everything he says or does, I don't even agree with the point of the big piece from which this was taken, but the parts here I thought were a good analysis of the left. And by the way, does anyone recognize this? Googling or searching for it is cheap and not allowed. Do you recognize it without any help is the question.] more

Resolved Question: Mentally challenged people with cheery dispositions. Something to be envious of?

Have you ever met a person who was severely mentally challenged (to the point where they were bound to a wheelchair) that radiated positivity and satisfaction with the universe? Among not being able to comprehend many things, they also had almost an inability to understand negativity or the act of being discouraged, resulting in a constantly cheery disposition. They are easily amused to the point where the smallest gestures elicit extreme happiness. What many may quickly perceive as a misfortune (being mentally challenged) is possibly a blessing in disguise. People are often easily captivated and touched by the simplicity of this "challenged" person's love towards the world and everyone in it. In a way, they are pure in being. They have not and will not have the opportunity to become hardened (as most adults are to different degrees) by the hate and malice that fills this world, much like children. A large majority of people will refer to childhood when describing the happiest, most carefree times in their life. This is almost completely due to the fact that as children we are naïve to most things, therefore satisfied with ourselves and our surroundings, giving us the advantage over most adults when it comes to achieving happiness. Many would argue that such a disposition is purely a phase of youth, regardless of worldly influence. However, the benefits of ignorance becomes evident when you look into the solemn, soul-less faces of children who’s spirit has been pummeled down by only knowing constant hardship or being witness to things only meant for “adult eyes” (thus the term “being stripped of your childhood”) . Is it a coincidence that many of the most intelligent minds in history were also extremely disturbed in some way (maybe haunted by the vastness of their own awareness). Does ignorance really equal bliss? Many of us strive our entire adult lives hoping to find some kind of harmony within ourselves that will ultimately make us happy. For most, this is a unrealistic pursuit, one that, due to the complexity of our intellectual wants and desires, we would be unable to recognize if it was right in front of us. Are people who remain confined to wheelchairs due to what most of us may view as a “disability” really born with the advantage? Is this something to be envious of? Any response is appreciated, be it in the form of an answer, another question, or simply your thoughts on the subject and things related more

Voting Question: Mentally challenged people with cheery dispositions. Is it something to be envious of?

Voting Question: Why will we get cheap gas once we elect Obama?

I mean, the middle east hates America because of Bush! Bush loves big oil and those two combinations mean America is screwed in terms of cheap oil! But Obama isn't an infidel, like Bush. He has a respected name and religion in the eyes of the middle east and therefore he will be able to make deals that will get us gas for less than $1/gallon! Obama is truly the solution to America's gas problem -- if you cannot see that, you obviously cannot add 1 and 1 (which I know many cons struggle to do...) In addition to cheap gas, all Americans will have free health care. All Americans will be MADE EQUAL. This means you and me will have the same opportunities, the same income, the same assets -- just as was penned by our founding fathers in the declaration of independence. Lets stop letting people like Bush tarnish America! Lets make America a nation we can finally say we are proud of. Lets embrace change! Obama 2009-2017! Change is coming! Embrace it! more

Resolved Question: Do you think we will get cheap gas once we elect Obama?

Resolved Question: Grandmaster Trovador Ramos Sr. is the only 1 beat the legendary Bruce Lee in sparring (Hong Kong) during 70's.

TRACMA_INTERNATIONAL_TASK_FORCE@yahoogroups.com TRACMA was a Filipino self-made Consolidated Martial Arts.The styles and techniques of which was founded by the only as yet Filipino Fourteen (14 ) degree Red Belt Master Trovador R. Ramos Sr.who was internationally recognized and acclaimed Master Trovador successfully was able to re-establish the worth of the filipinos through unbearable endurance,self- discipline, sacrifices and willfull determination that can equate and stand out over the world famous Martial Arts experts in terms of skills,talents and ability. He believed that there was always a room for improvement and endeavoured to develop his self-defense knowledge,which he inherited from his grandfather' s clan,whom were all exponents of sports in their prime days.he painstakingly analyzed,evaluated and modified every movement and step to give it a more rewarding effect in its inflictions and defense. A foretaste of his efforts was realized in his hometown at San Antonio,Zambales wherein his first gym was stablished.Martial Arts enthusiast from all over the fourteen towns of Zambales,overwhelmi ngly surged to his gym to learn the art and enlist as student/members. The art spread like a wild fire.Thus,he was recommended and personally was asked to teach TRACMA at the near-by-bases. Master Trovador was hired as the Chief Instructor Of Martial Arts at the US Naval Base namely in San Miguel Navy Radio Station and in Subic Bay in 1961,together with the US Naval Security Department-Uniform Guard Chief Capt.Andy Cascante,being appointed by Master Trovador as the Administrator of TRACMA,the Olongapo gym was organized.It was followed by another one in Pampanga,then in Tarlac,then in Pangasinan and way up to Baguio City.All of each gym on different places had an assigned trained and qualified instructors through the recommendation of Capt.Cascante. And this is where and how the Master/Founder came to know the Administrator, who also became his good friend. The established gyms and it's members were named "D'Invincibles" ,because of its aim to train only on gaining friends and did ways with enmity.It had justified the group for logically saying "One knows not of defeat when he has an enemy".Thus, Master Trovador had the opportunity to have personally met several world reknown Martial Arts Experts,such as Karate,Taekwondo, Judo,Aikido and many other self-defense groups in the Base,whom all earned their rank and belt from different foreign countries.To their surprise,they merely turned dull-rats and sluggish when faced and tried by only student beginners of Master Trovador.And because of this,frequent invitation was extended to him to lecture and demonstrate on board ships as a Civilian US Navy Martial Arts Instructor on a Temporary Additional Duty.This had made him saw several places in the world possible.And the most frequent question asked to him was on what/which book or where his art was acquired.With the humility and with a smile,he explained that such forms could not as yet be found on any bookfor it was personally developed and consolidated by him. Mr.Teddy Halper,the 1956 World Champion Of International Real Combat,in his capacity as head of the World Reasearch on Martial Arts and Education and World Authority Consultant on Real Combat studied TRACMA's art.After thorough and careful evaluation of the Filipino Martial Art Instructor's knowledge,agility, skills,technique s and ability,he then awarded and vested him the title which all of Mr.Halper's staff concurring,the "fourteen ( 14 ) Degree Redbelt Master". He decided to legalized the introduction of his self-made Consolidated Martial Arts for official recognition after returning from his duty on TAD order(Temporary Additional Duty).Authoring it's operation,he organized a non-stock corporation and called it the "international Real Combat Judo-Karate Organization" under Sec No.36882 on Nov.25,1968. He then gave birth the recognition of Filipino Martial Arts'in the country. The Philippine Karate Association (PKA)was also formed in 1970 and thinking that Master Trovador's organization was also a karate group,they listed it as a member of the formed PKA subjecting it under their leadership,laws and regulations. Master Trovador then vehemently with tact and humility objected and appealed to the PKA Secretary Atty.Jesus P.Arino.Sr. 1.That his founded Martial Arts was a self-made style and technique.Not Copied from any foreign Martial Arts.It's obviously very different in many ways from that of Karate which was an art form that originated and introduced by a foreign country. 2.That the self-made art of the Founder was already established and had proven supremacy and effeciency in several parts of the world where it has been accepted,acknowledg ed,respected and adopted as the Filipino Martial Art,and that it has already one hundred ninety seven (197) branches that had been organized outside of the philippines. 3.That to accept subordination and/or membership under Karate,a Foreign Martial Arts in the Philippines, is a disgraced and discriminationto the Filipinos and to the Republic of the Philippines. It could also degrade the Filipino Master/Founder who already had sacrificed unbearable time and efforts in his founded art's upliftment that required not only acknowledgement and respect,but also recognition on it's supremacy and efficacy above many other Martial Arts. 4.That it's name recorded in the Security and Exchange Commision was given to show due respect to the world organization of Mr.Teddy Halper,who awarded Master Trovador his present title and degree.It did not meant that it was a part of the Karate Association. Karate was merely a tiny part of the Filipino Consolidated Martial Arts and should not therefore,and in any sense of justice, fall under or to subordinate it to any foreign Martial Arts. Then Master Trovador finally decided and resolved the confusion by renaming it as "TRACMA".It did not carry the previous listed members under the non-stock organization and also primarily avoided all who were dropped out for non-participation and obvious disinterest to the group as well as those who did not kept in touch with the Founder for the last six (6) or more years. TRACMA Promotions was then formed.it was approved by the Bureau of Domestic Trade of the Philippine Under B.D.T.Cert.of Registration No.0141/77 and a B.D.T.Provincial Cert.No.P.76/ 13772 was issued to continue it's operations legally. TRACMA was anTherefore acronym for Trovador Ramos Consolidated Martial Arts.Therefore, its proper,wise and fitting to know more of the Filipino Founder in order to fully visualize the evaluation of it's significance and entirely. The Founder was likewise a professional musician.And after leaving his US Navy Civilian job as Chief Instructor,he travelled with his brothers,who were also all musicians,with an aim to earn and pursue the global recognizance of his founded Martial Arts.He established gyms in all the places he went up to.Slowly,but with wilfull determinations, the Founder courageously hurdled and surpassed all of the countless rival resentment and odds triumphantly. His tactful and friendly approached had paid off effectively. All those who opposed and confronted him,one after the other,accepted their defeat and fell on to his aide.His safe and constructive method was sincerely shown and the interest for their behalves was proven by actual efficacy of Master Trovador's art.And with this,he gained their respect and acknowledgement for his art's Mastership supremacy.They vowede down to him and submitted themselves under his tutorship and proudly adopted TRACMA as their choice of Martial Arts. HongKong was not different to all these places in the Fareast that the Master/Founder had been to.In fact,it was where he met so many challenges that gave him the limelight break to popularity.HongKong was not only an oen port,but was also a creamy melting spot for relaxation that invigoratingly invited the world noted Martial Arts Expert to converge and domicile. With the tide in favor of the Master/Founder and perhaps with lady-luck on his side,he unmolestedly proven the strength of his friendly and tactful approaches.He showed with ease the supremacy of his founded art to whomever confronted him.This had boosted his personality and his name became an epitome and by word of so many Martial Arts Experts who have tried and accepted his Mastership. Then one afternoon,the late world famous movie action star,Mr.Bruce Lee,whom in real life was an acclaimed International Martial Arts expert uninvited,visited Master Trovador.With evident curiousity and obvious intent to try the fast rising Filipino Martial Arts Master,the chinese action star challenged Master Trovador very tactfully.And on pretext of the game Mr.Lee wished to warm up nd invited anyone in the gym to try and fight with him. Mr.Lee,being an international figure and celebrity,aside from being a Chinese Martial Art Idol,is a very respected man,thus,no one dared to accept the challenge.And with countless avid fans in addition to so many media men,camera men and movie personalities whom were always following him,so many people witnessed that event.The Filipino Master had no alternative but to oblige to protect the prestige and image of his founded art for his gym's respectability, for his member's moral,for the pride of the Filipinos as a whole and for honour to his country,the Republic of the Philippines. Together with all those people around him and those who believed and supported in his invincibility, Mr.Lee's superb fighting speed,knowledge and agility had made him over confident.Master Trovador,on the other hand,had that equalled timing,guilful defenses and counters that kept him unperturbed by human opinion.Both started with great confidensed and it was actually the audience whom visibly showed worriness than excitement of the sparring's result. The Filipino Master's dynamic sportmanship and professionalism however,prevented the would be most embarassing position and unmendabledisgraced of the famous Chinese Action Movie Star.Instead of subduing Mr.Lee,which obviously could have been easily done,Master Trovador caught the Chinese Actor's fall twice and with out an attempt to inflict a blow.He vowede to signify his desire to put an end in the worthless sparring in cognizance in the Martial Arts Master especially in an official sport fighting. Master Trovador delightfully amazed all with his scientific and perfect timing,thwarting with case and beauty of Mr.Lee's all out efforts of attack with lightning speed and agility which resulted in vainglory. He could have won and done it with all the justification in the book,but he would just be creating an untoward feeling among the Chinese followers or perhaps eighty percent (80%)of the HongKong Chinese population who loved and idolized Mr.Lee.He then signalled the Chinese Action Movie Star to stop the fight and was gladly acknowledge. In return out of gratitude,Mr. Lee loudly announced that his main purpose at the gym was not to challenge Master Trovador nor sar with him but to offer him a good role and be a part of his forth coming movie entitled "Enter The Dragon". They received thunderous applauses and both became good friends.however, the offer was later turned down tactfully in the interest of preserving Filipino Prestige,ego and principles.Neverthe less,Mr.Lee requested to Master Trovador to teach him some routines to use in another movie productions to be filmed entirely in Italy,which was entitled "The rhythm Man",named after Master Trovador's perfect rhythm and timing.He was then recognized as Bruce Lee's coach.Unfortunately ,the Chinese famous Action Star's untimely death shattered the realization of the said film. Amazingly,an American Producer of Pan Asia Movie Production was one of those who witnessed the sparring of the two Martial Arts Experts and offered Master Trovador a directorial action job in his company.It was a shining oppurtunity to once more further the expansion of the Filipino Martial Arts,inspite of the monitorial meagerness,compared to that of Bruce Lee's offer which he turned down politely,the Founder readily accepted the offer. He went with the company to so many places in the world,directing action portions and also acting when giving an important and good role to play.This likewise made possible the establishment of TRACMA's gyms in so many places in the world.And made TRACMA a legend etched a deep in history never to be oblitarated that members distinguished it with pride and honor,worth of the highest quality to preserve. Master Trovador returned back as well polished movie star and was offered to do so several chinese action movies on which some where box office record grosser in japan,Australia and several place in the world.Then a Filipino producer of a certain movie outfit met Master Trovador in Hongkong and offered him to make a movie in the Philippines. "The Redbelt Master" which earned him for the first time,acceptance and cognizance in the movie world of his own country after working at many foreign movies.And another offer came in promptly."Sandugo" ,which was a top grosser.Then it was followed by the "Big Fist" that made him stay in the Philippines a little longer. In support to a Presidential Decree No.604 in 1975 at this juncture,the Inc's Nation Wide Development of Sports and Physical Fitness Program decided then that TRACMA art be nationally adopted.It was not because the Master/Founder was a brethren of good standing but due to it's high degree of choice in it's development program and fervent nationalistic support. Aware of the officers significance, Master Trovador happily accepted and regarded it as another challenge whether he could once more stand out in terms of leadership dynamism.To ascertain a resounding success,he stayed in the country for a couple of years to oversea the establishment of TRACMA schools and nationwide teaching for the interest of his country and fellow filipinos. After a while,Master Trovador continued his career in the music world as a Musical Director in Hong Kong.Aside from his high paying job in the music industry,he still continued teaching TRACMA.And beacuse of his greatness in the art,countless people of a new batch registered to him as a student of TRACMA. Being one of the pioneer brethren of the INC in Hongkong,Master Trovador assisted on establishing a locale in the country and congregate worship services.He actively participated in the Kowloon Locale being one of the officer and even becoming the Head Deacon. Then Master Trovador met Mr.Roger Boschman,an INC member,who is also an exponent and an ardent lover of Martial Arts.The two became good friends.Mr.Boschman eventually studied and learned TRACMA.With great appreciation and high regard to TRACMA's art and especially to the Master/Founder, Mr.Boschman, together with Master/Founder Trovador and Administrator Capt.Cascante, agreed and got together and pursued the revitalization of TRACMA.Thus, on April 24,1988 TRACMA World Wide FEDERATION as registered in Hong Kong with Master Trovador Ramos Sr. as the Founder/President and titular head and Mr.Roger Boschman as the Chairman & Chief Executive Officer.However, Capt.Andy Cascante was still the International Consultant/Adviser and managed TRACMA PROMOTIONS in the Philippines nation-wide, it was later on re-registered as Philippines TRACMA World Wide. In 1988,Mater Trovador's two youngest children came to HongKong to study.The opportunity that his children were there enabled him to upgrade the teaching of TRACMA to them.His youngest son Trovador A.Ramos Jr. or James as they call him and his youngest daughter Lyrabelle A.Ramos or simply Lyra to them,learned fast and well.Thus,when both acquired Black Belt,they were officiated by Mater Trovador as instructors. Although Lyra concentrated on the level of administrative, James on the other hand actively trained the TRACMA students and pursued on to a higher belt and earned the title of 8th Degree Black Belt. Then in 1992,Cathay Pacific Airlines,an internationallly acclaimed commercial airline company in HongKong,contracted TRACMA to teach Consolidated Martial Arts Techniques to all it's Pilots,Flight Attendants and Management Team.The teaching and training took place in the gym of the Cathay Pacific Building near the Kai Tak (old) Airport.With the personal supervision of Master Trovador,this deal was done and administered by James and Lyra.Aside from their regular training of forms,they developed the Cathay employees alertness/rediness and fast adaptation to crucial situation in line of duty and had provided Special anti-hijacking Training Course more

Resolved Question: Everyone seems to misunderstand "feminism" and "feminist" - should we stop throwing around these labels?

Most feminists will claim that feminism calls for EQUAL rights, EQUAL treatment, and EQUAL opportunity among men and women. Most anti-feminists/non-feminists will claim that feminism calls for MORE rights, BETTER treatment, and GREATER opportunities for women than for men. Whenever I read comments about feminism or feminists on this forum, I always have to wonder what is meant by that (see above). We may never agree on what feminism means, but it appears that most of us agree that equality is what we're all after. Really, what's the point of applying a label such as "feminist" or "feminism" if no one seems to understand what it means? Or is that half the fun? Is there another term we can use that has a definition we can ALL agree with? more

Resolved Question: Is there anyone who know about Angela Sy Dela Cruz wife of the late Anthony Sy Jr.? as she is a scammer?

Resolved Question: What is Cora Aloran scam ?

Resolved Question: OBAMA speech in full?

http://www.drudgereport.com/flashos.htm After read this, how in the world are people still hating on this Man??? There is really no hope for us, if we continue to be sheep, unity should be our mission more

Resolved Question: Is Obama a socialist?

Government mandated wages! Fair Pay Act. Under its provisions, the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC) would create criteria determining whether a given job is dominated by one sex; employers would have to send the EEOC every year a listing of each job classification, the race and sex of those holding such jobs; how much they are paid; and how such pay was determined. The goal of all this is to ensure that people in "equivalent" jobs are paid similar wages. "The term, 'equivalent jobs', according to the legislation, "means jobs that may be dissimilar, but whose requirements are equivalent, when viewed as a composite of skills, effort, responsibility and working conditions." And who would decide what is equivalent? The federal government, of course. Forget the price signal: Congress is on the job! more

Resolved Question: Employment for people on Incapacity Benefit?

People, who have long-term illness, like brain tumour and other illness with that like skin problem, depression, keratoconus, etc. How can employers give them any work to do? I mean at interview, people dress up well, groomed, and tidy for the interview. Most people have competition with other candidates and may or may not get the job. People with the illness suffer from more competition, and if they are honest to employer then they are least likely to get the job, even if employers claim to be an equal opportunity employer. Do you think employers are equal opportunity employers to people with above condition, if the candidates are honest? (The Government is trying to reduce incapacity benefit claimants!)My question is about the employers claiming to be equal opportunity employers to people with above condition, if the candidates are honest? more

Resolved Question: If an ex is still waiting for you to get your life together, does that mean she isn't completely over you?

I only ask this question because if you are now friends, why should it matter. I won't divulge the circumstances of the break up, but she and I were not equal in terms of stability. She seemed pretty disappointed after I gave her an update on my life and what I was doing. Do I just ignore these hints or just move on and let the past be the past. She's a great person and I'd like another opportunity in the future. more

Resolved Question: With reasonable arguments why do people think that women need to be drafted in order to be equal?

Everyone is born with Natural rights (John Lock) and women had these taken away in the past then fought to be respected on equal terms like they should have been in the first place means that to be respected in intellect and the right to vote and own property and etc that we need to be drafted just like men? We did fight, We faught for our rights that we were supposed too have in the first place. Just because women ask to have an equal education and voting rights doesn't mean they are scientifically as able to fight as men. To force women to go to war because we said we want to be able to vote, hold job, and have equal educational opportunity to then say "well if you want natural rights that you are born with fight for them."lol didn't mean to put in such a long sentence it was incorrect grammer, but I think you get my point. more

Resolved Question: citizenship english question translate to arabic ?

any one new anywebsite hit me up ? INS Citizenship Test Questions The U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) administers a test to all immigrants applying for citizenship. For years, these questions have been selected from among the following list of 100. How would you do? Many, you will find simple. Others are not so easy. In all cases, the answer USCIS wants to hear is given. (Study Materials and Guides) NOTE: New Test Questions Coming Oct. 1, 2008 On Oct. 1, 2008 The USCIS will switch a new set of test questions. All applicants who file for naturalization on or after October 1, 2008 will be required to take the redesigned test. For those applicants who file prior to October 1, 2008 but are not interviewed until after October , 2008 (but before October 1, 2009), there will be an option of taking the new test or the current one. ________________________________________ Current USCIS Test Questions (Click on the question to see the answer.) 1. What are the colors of our flag? 2. How many stars are there in our flag? 3. What color are the stars on our flag? 4. What do the stars on the flag mean? 5. How many stripes are there in the flag? 6. What color are the stripes? 7. What do the stripes on the flag mean? 8. How many states are there in the Union? 9. What is the 4th of July? 10. What is the date of Independence Day? 11. Independence from whom? 12. What country did we fight during the Revolutionary War? 13. Who was the first President of the United States? 14. Who is the President of the United States today? 15. Who is the vice-president of the United States today? 16. Who elects the President of the United States? 17. Who becomes President of the United States if the President should die? 18. For how long do we elect the President? 19. What is the Constitution? 20. Can the Constitution be changed? 21. What do we call a change to the Constitution? 22. How many changes or amendments are there to the Constitution? 23. How many branches are there in our government? 24. What are the three branches of our government? 25. What is the legislative branch of our government? 26. Who makes the laws in the United States? 27. What is the Congress? 28. What are the duties of Congress? 29. Who elects the Congress? 30. How many senators are there in Congress? 31. Can you name the two senators from your state? 32. For how long do we elect each senator? 33. How many representatives are there in Congress? 34. For how long do we elect the representatives? 35. What is the executive branch of our government? 36. What is the judiciary branch of our government? 37. What are the duties of the Supreme Court? 38. What is the supreme court law of the United States? 39. What is the Bill of Rights? 40. What is the capital of your state? 41. Who is the current governor of your state? 42. Who becomes President of the United States if the President and the vice-president should die? 43. Who is the Chief Justice of the Supreme Court? 44. Can you name thirteen original states? 45. Who said, "Give me liberty or give me death."? 46. Which countries were our enemies during World War II? 47. What are the 49th and 50th states of the Union? 48. How many terms can the President serve? 49. Who was Martin Luther King, Jr.? 50. Who is the head of your local government? 51. According to the Constitution, a person must meet certain requirements in order to be eligible to become President. Name one of these requirements. 52. Why are there 100 Senators in the Senate? 53. Who selects the Supreme Court justice? 54. How many Supreme Court justice are there? 55. Why did the Pilgrims come to America? 56. What is the head executive of a state government called? 57. What is the head executive of a city government called? 58. What holiday was celebrated for the first time by the Americans colonists? 59. Who was the main writer of the Declaration of Independence? 60. When was the Declaration of Independence adopted? 61. What is the basic belief of the Declaration of Independence? 62. What is the national anthem of the United States? 63. Who wrote the Star-Spangled Banner? 64. Where does freedom of speech come from? 65. What is a minimum voting age in the United States? 66. Who signs bills into law? 67. What is the highest court in the United States? 68. Who was the President during the Civil War? 69. What did the Emancipation Declaration do? 70. What special group advises the President? 71. Which President is called the "Father of our country"? 72. What Immigration and Naturalization Service form is used to apply to become a naturalized citizen? 73. Who helped the Pilgrims in America? 74. What is the name of the ship that brought the Pilgrims to America? 75. What are the 13 original states of the U.S. called? 76. Name 3 rights of freedom guaranteed by the Bill of Rights. 77. Who has the power to declare the war? 78. What kind of government does the United States have? 79. Which President freed the slaves? 80. In what year was the Constitution written? 81. What are the first 10 amendments to the Constitution called? 82. Name one purpose of the United Nations? 83. Where does Congress meet? 84. Whose rights are guaranteed by the Constitution and the Bill of Rights? 85. What is the introduction to the Constitution called? 86. Name one benefit of being citizen of the United States. 87. What is the most important right granted to U.S. citizens? 88. What is the United States Capitol? 89. What is the White House? 90. Where is the White House located? 91. What is the name of the President's official home? 92. Name the right guaranteed by the first amendment. 93. Who is the Commander in Chief of the U.S. military? 94. Which President was the first Commander in Chief of the U.S. military? 95. In what month do we vote for the President? 96. In what month is the new President inaugurated? 97. How many times may a Senator be re-elected? 98. How many times may a Congressman be re-elected? 99. What are the 2 major political parties in the U.S. today? 100. How many states are there in the United States today? ________________________________________ 1. What are the colors of our flag? Red, White, and Blue. 2. How many stars are there in our flag? 50 3. What color are the stars on our flag? White. 4. What do the stars on the flag mean? One for each state in the Union. 5. How many stripes are there in the flag? 13 6. What color are the stripes? Red and White. 7. What do the stripes on the flag mean? They represent the original 13 states. 8. How many states are there in the Union? 50 9. What is the 4th of July? Independence Day. 10. What is the date of Independence Day? July 4th 11. Independence from whom? England 12. What country did we fight during the Revolutionary War? England 13. Who was the first President of the United States? George Washington 14. Who is the President of the United States today? Currently George W. Bush 15. Who is the vice-president of the United States today? Currently Richard B. ("Dick") Cheney 16. Who elects the President of the United States? The electoral college 17. Who becomes President of the United States if the President should die? Vice - President 18. For how long do we elect the President? Four years 19. What is the Constitution? The supreme law of the land 20. Can the Constitution be changed? Yes 21. What do we call a change to the Constitution? An Amendment 22. How many changes or amendments are there to the Constitution? 27 23. How many branches are there in our government? 3 24. What are the three branches of our government? Legislative, Executive, and Judiciary 25. What is the legislative branch of our government? Congress 26. Who makes the laws in the United States? Congress 27. What is the Congress? The Senate and the House of Representatives 28. What are the duties of Congress? To make laws 29. Who elects the Congress? The people 30. How many senators are there in Congress? 100 31. Can you name the two senators from your state? (insert local information) 32. For how long do we elect each senator? 6 years 33. How many representatives are there in Congress? 435 34. For how long do we elect the representatives? 2 years 35. What is the executive branch of our government? The President, vice president, cabinet, and departments under the cabinet members 36. What is the judiciary branch of our government? The Supreme Court 37. What are the duties of the Supreme Court? To interpret laws 38. What is the supreme court law of the United States? The Constitution 39. What is the Bill of Rights? The first 10 amendments of the Constitution 40. What is the capital of your state? (insert local information) 41. Who is the current governor of your state? (insert local information) 42. Who becomes President of the United States if the President and the vice-president should die? Speaker of the House of Representative 43. Who is the Chief Justice of the Supreme Court? William Rehnquist (or whoever is next) 44. Can you name thirteen original states? Connecticut, New Hampshire, New York, New Jersey, Massachusetts, Pennsylvania, Delaware, Virginia, North Carolina, South Carolina, Georgia, Rhode Island, and Maryland. 45. Who said, "Give me liberty or give me death."? Patrick Henry 46. Which countries were our enemies during World War II? Germany, Italy, and Japan 47. What are the 49th and 50th states of the Union? Hawaii and Alaska 48. How many terms can the President serve? 2 49. Who was Martin Luther King, Jr.? A civil rights leader 50. Who is the head of your local government? (insert local information) 51. According to the Constitution, a person must meet certain requirements in order to be eligible to become President. Name one of these requirements. Must be a natural born citizen of the United States; must be at least 35 years old by the time he/she will serve; must have lived in the United States for at least 14 years. 52. Why are there 100 Senators in the Senate? Two (2) from each state 53. Who selects the Supreme Court justice? Appointed by the President 54. How many Supreme Court justice are there? Nine (9) 55. Why did the Pilgrims come to America? For religious freedom 56. What is the head executive of a state government called? Governor 57. What is the head executive of a city government called? Mayor 58. What holiday was celebrated for the first time by the Americans colonists? Thanksgiving 59. Who was the main writer of the Declaration of Independence? Thomas Jefferson 60. When was the Declaration of Independence adopted? July 4, 1776 61. What is the basic belief of the Declaration of Independence? That all men are created equal 62. What is the national anthem of the United States? The Star-Spangled Banner 63. Who wrote the Star-Spangled Banner? Francis Scott Key 64. Where does freedom of speech come from? The Bill of Rights 65. What is a minimum voting age in the United States? Eighteen (18) 66. Who signs bills into law? The President 67. What is the highest court in the United States? The Supreme Court 68. Who was the President during the Civil War? Abraham Lincoln 69. What did the Emancipation Declaration do? Freed many slaves 70. What special group advises the President? The Cabinet 71. Which President is called the "Father of our country"? George Washington 72. What Immigration and Naturalization Service form is used to apply to become a naturalized citizen? Form N-400, Application to File Petition for Naturalization 73. Who helped the Pilgrims in America? The American-Indians (Native Americans) 74. What is the name of the ship that brought the Pilgrims to America? The Mayflower 75. What are the 13 original states of the U.S. called? Colonies 76. Name 3 rights of freedom guaranteed by the Bill of Rights. The right of freedom of speech, press, religion, peaceable assembly, and requesting change of government. The right to bear arms (the right to have weapons or own a gun, though subject to certain regulations). The government may not quarter, or house, soldiers in the people's homes during peacetime without the people's consent. The government may not search or take a person's property without a warrant. A person may not be tried twice for the same crime and does not have to testify against him/herself. A person charged with a crime still has some rights, such as the right to a trial and to have a lawyer. The right to trial by jury in most cases. Protects people against excessive or unreasonable fines or cruel and unusual punishment. The people have rights other than those mentioned in the Constitution. Any power not given to the federal government by the Constitution is a power of either the state or the people. 77. Who has the power to declare the war? The Congress 78. What kind of government does the United States have? Democracy 79. Which President freed the slaves? Abraham Lincoln 80. In what year was the Constitution written? 1787 81. What are the first 10 amendments to the Constitution called? The Bill of Rights 82. Name one purpose of the United Nations? For countries to discuss and try to resolve world problems, to provide economic aid to many countries. 83. Where does Congress meet? In the Capitol in Washington, D.C. 84. Whose rights are guaranteed by the Constitution and the Bill of Rights? Everyone (citizens and non-citizens) living in U.S. 85. What is the introduction to the Constitution called? The Preamble 86. Name one benefit of being citizen of the United States. Obtain federal government jobs, travel with U.S. passport, petition for close relatives to come to the U.S. to live. 87. What is the most important right granted to U.S. citizens? The right to vote 88. What is the United States Capitol? The place where Congress meets 89. What is the White House? The President's official home 90. Where is the White House located? Washington, D.C. (1600 Pennsylvania Avenue, N.W.) 91. What is the name of the President's official home? The White House 92. Name the right guaranteed by the first amendment. Freedom of: speech, press, religion, peaceable assembly, and requesting change of the government. 93. Who is the Commander in Chief of the U.S. military? The President 94. Which President was the first Commander in Chief of the U.S. military? George Washington 95. In what month do we vote for the President? November 96. In what month is the new President inaugurated? January 97. How many times may a Senator be re-elected? There is no limit 98. How many times may a Congressman be re-elected? There is no limit 99. What are the 2 major political parties in the U.S. today? Democratic and Republican 100. How many states are there in the United States today? Fifty (50) New Naturalization Test Questions Beginning on Oct. 1, 2008, the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) will replace the set of questions currently used as part of the citizenship test with the questions listed here. All applicants who file for naturalization on or after October 1, 2008 will be required to take the new test. For those applicants who file prior to October 1, 2008 but are not interviewed until after October , 2008 (but before October 1, 2009), there will be an option of taking the new test or the current one. New Test Questions and Answers Some questions have more than one correct answer. In those cases, all acceptable answers are shown. All answers are shown exactly as worded by the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services. * If you are 65 years old or older and have been a legal permanent resident of the United States for 20 or more years, you may study just the questions that have been marked with an asterisk. AMERICAN GOVERNMENT A. Principles of American Democracy 1. What is the supreme law of the land? A: The Constitution 2. What does the Constitution do? A: sets up the government A: defines the government A: protects basic rights of Americans 3. The idea of self-government is in the first three words of the Constitution. What are these words? A: We the People 4. What is an amendment? A: a change (to the Constitution) A: an addition (to the Constitution) 5. What do we call the first ten amendments to the Constitution? A: The Bill of Rights 6. What is one right or freedom from the First Amendment?* A: speech A: religion A: assembly A: press A: petition the government 7. How many amendments does the Constitution have? A: twenty-seven (27) 8. What did the Declaration of Independence do? A: announced our independence (from Great Britain) A: declared our independence (from Great Britain) A: said that the United States is free (from Great Britain) 9. What are two rights in the Declaration of Independence? A: life A: liberty A: pursuit of happiness 10. What is freedom of religion? A: You can practice any religion, or not practice a religion. 11. What is the economic system in the United States?* A: capitalist economy A: market economy 12. What is the "rule of law"? A: Everyone must follow the law. A: Leaders must obey the law. A: Government must obey the law. A: No one is above the law. B. System of Government 13. Name one branch or part of the government.* A: Congress A: legislative A: President A: executive A: the courts A: judicial 14. What stops one branch of government from becoming too powerful? A: checks and balances A: separation of powers 15. Who is in charge of the executive branch? A: the President 16. Who makes federal laws? A: Congress A: Senate and House (of Representatives) A: (U.S. or national) legislature 17. What are the two parts of the U.S. Congress?* A: the Senate and House (of Representatives) 18. How many U.S. Senators are there? A: one hundred (100) 19. We elect a U.S. Senator for how many years? A: six (6) 20. Who is one of your state's U.S. Senators?* A: Answers will vary. [For District of Columbia residents and residents of U.S. territories, the answer is that D.C. (or the territory where the applicant lives) has no U.S. Senators.] * If you are 65 years old or older and have been a legal permanent resident of the United States for 20 or more years, you may study just the questions that have been marked with an asterisk. 21. The House of Representatives has how many voting members? A: four hundred thirty-five (435) 22. We elect a U.S. Representative for how many years? A: two (2) 23. Name your U.S. Representative. A: Answers will vary. [Residents of territories with nonvoting Delegates or resident Commissioners may provide the name of that Delegate or Commissioner. Also acceptable is any statement that the territory has no (voting) Representatives in Congress.] 24. Who does a U.S. Senator represent? A: all people of the state 25. Why do some states have more Representatives than other states? A: (because of) the state's population A: (because) they have more people A: (because) some states have more people 26. We elect a President for how many years? A: four (4) 27. In what month do we vote for President?* A: November 28. What is the name of the President of the United States now?* A: George W. Bush A: George Bush A: Bush 29. What is the name of the Vice President of the United States now? A: Richard Cheney A: Dick Cheney A: Cheney 30. If the President can no longer serve, who becomes President? A: the Vice President 31. If both the President and the Vice President can no longer serve, who becomes President? A: the Speaker of the House 32. Who is the Commander in Chief of the military? A: the President 33. Who signs bills to become laws? A: the President 34. Who vetoes bills? A: the President 35. What does the President's Cabinet do? A: advises the President 36. What are two Cabinet-level positions? A: Secretary of Agriculture A: Secretary of Commerce A: Secretary of Defense A: Secretary of Education A: Secretary of Energy A: Secretary of Health and Human Services A: Secretary of Homeland Security A: Secretary of Housing and Urban Development A: Secretary of Interior A: Secretary of State A: Secretary of Transportation A: Secretary of Treasury A: Secretary of Veterans' Affairs A: Secretary of Labor A: Attorney General 37. does the judicial branch do? A: reviews laws A: explains laws A: resolves disputes (disagreements) A: decides if a law goes against the Constitution 38. What is the highest court in the United States? A: the Supreme Court 39. How many justices are on the Supreme Court? A: nine (9) 40. Who is the Chief Justice of the United States? A: John Roberts (John G. Roberts, Jr.) * If you are 65 years old or older and have been a legal permanent resident of the United States for 20 or more years, you may study just the questions that have been marked with an asterisk. 41. Under our Constitution, some powers belong to the federal government. What is one power of the federal government? A: to print money A: to declare war A: to create an army A: to make treaties 42. Under our Constitution, some powers belong to the states. What is one power of the states? A: provide schooling and education A: provide protection (police) A: provide safety (fire departments) A: give a driver's license A: approve zoning and land use 43. Who is the Governor of your state? A: Answers will vary. [Residents of the District of Columbia and U.S. territories without a Governor should say "we don't have a Governor."] 44. What is the capital of your state?* A: Answers will vary. [District of Columbia residents should answer that D.C. is not a state and does not have a capital. Residents of U.S. territories should name the capital of the territory.] 45. What are the two major political parties in the United States?* A: Democratic and Republican 46. What is the political party of the President now? A: Republican (Party) 47. What is the name of the Speaker of the House of Representatives now? A: (Nancy) Pelosi C: Rights and Responsibilities 48. There are four amendments to the Constitution about who can vote. Describe one of them. A: Citizens eighteen (18) and older (can vote). A: You don't have to pay (a poll tax) to vote. A: Any citizen can vote. (Women and men can vote.) A: A male citizen of any race (can vote). 49. What is one responsibility that is only for United States citizens?* A: serve on a jury A: vote 50. What are two rights only for United States citizens? A: apply for a federal job A: vote A: run for office A: carry a U.S. passport 51. What are two rights of everyone living in the United States? A: freedom of expression A: freedom of speech A: freedom of assembly A: freedom to petition the government A: freedom of worship A: the right to bear arms 52. What do we show loyalty to when we say the Pledge of Allegiance? A: the United States A: the flag 53. What is one promise you make when you become a United States citizen? A: give up loyalty to other countries A: defend the Constitution and laws of the United States A: obey the laws of the United States A: serve in the U.S. military (if needed) A: serve (do important work for) the nation (if needed) A: be loyal to the United States 54. How old do citizens have to be to vote for President?* A: eighteen (18) and older 55. What are two ways that Americans can participate in their democracy? A: vote A: join a political party A: help with a campaign A: join a civic group A: join a community group A: give an elected official your opinion on an issue A: call Senators and Representatives A: publicly support or oppose an issue or policy A: run for office A: write to a newspaper 56. When is the last day you can send in federal income tax forms?* A: April 15 57. When must all men register for the Selective Service? A: at age eighteen (18) A: between eighteen (18) and twenty-six (26) AMERICAN HISTORY A: Colonial Period and Independence 58. What is one reason colonists came to America? A: freedom A: political liberty A: religious freedom A: economic opportunity A: practice their religion A: escape persecution 59. Who lived in America before the Europeans arrived? A: Native Americans A: American Indians 60. What group of people was taken to America and sold as slaves? A: Africans A: people from Africa * If you are 65 years old or older and have been a legal permanent resident of the United States for 20 or more years, you may study just the questions that have been marked with an asterisk. 61. Why did the colonists fight the British? A: because of high taxes (taxation without representation) A: because the British army stayed in their houses (boarding, quartering) A: because they didn't have self-government 62. Who wrote the Declaration of Independence? A: (Thomas) Jefferson 63. When was the Declaration of Independence adopted? A: July 4, 1776 64. There were 13 original states. Name three. A: New Hampshire A: Massachusetts A: Rhode Island A: Connecticut A: New York A: New Jersey A: Pennsylvania A: Delaware A: Maryland A: Virginia A: North Carolina A: South Carolina A: Georgia 65. What happened at the Constitutional Convention? A: The Constitution was written. A: The Founding Fathers wrote the Constitution. 66. When was the Constitution written? A: 1787 67. The Federalist Papers supported the passage of the U.S. Constitution. Name one of the writers. A: (James) Madison A: (Alexander) Hamilton A: (John) Jay A: Publius 68. What is one thing Benjamin Franklin is famous for? A: U.S. diplomat A: oldest member of the Constitutional Convention A: first Postmaster General of the United States A: writer of "Poor Richard's Almanac" A: started the first free libraries 69. Who is the "Father of Our Country"? A: (George) Washington 70. Who was the first President?* A: (George) Washington B: 1800s 71. What territory did the United States buy from France in 1803? A: the Louisiana Territory A: Louisiana 72. Name one war fought by the United States in the 1800s. A: War of 1812 A: Mexican-American War A: Civil War A: Spanish-American War 73. Name the U.S. war between the North and the South. A: the Civil War A: the War between the States 74. Name one problem that led to the Civil War. A: slavery A: economic reasons A: states' rights 75. What was one important thing that Abraham Lincoln did?* A: freed the slaves (Emancipation Proclamation) A: saved (or preserved) the Union A: led the United States during the Civil War 76. What did the Emancipation Proclamation do? A: freed the slaves A: freed slaves in the Confederacy A: freed slaves in the Confederate states A: freed slaves in most Southern states 77. What did Susan B. Anthony do? A: fought for women's rights A: fought for civil rights C: Recent American History and Other Important Historical Information 78. Name one war fought by the United States in the 1900s.* A: World War I A: World War II A: Korean War A: Vietnam War A: (Persian) Gulf War 79. Who was President during World War I? A: (Woodrow) Wilson 80. Who was President during the Great Depression and World War II? A: (Franklin) Roosevelt * If you are 65 years old or older and have been a legal permanent resident of the United States for 20 or more years, you may study just the questions that have been marked with an asterisk. 81. Who did the United States fight in World War II? A: Japan, Germany and Italy 82. Before he was President, Eisenhower was a general. What war was he in? A: World War II 83. During the Cold War, what was the main concern of the United States? A: Communism 84. What movement tried to end racial discrimination? A: civil rights (movement) 85. What did Martin Luther King, Jr. do?* A: fought for civil rights A: worked for equality for all Americans 86. What major event happened on September 11, 2001 in the United States? A: Terrorists attacked the United States. 87. Name one American Indian tribe in the United States. [Adjudicators will be supplied with a complete list.] A: Cherokee A: Navajo A: Sioux A: Chippewa A: Choctaw A: Pueblo A: Apache A: Iroquois A: Creek A: Blackfeet A: Seminole A: Cheyenne A: Arawak A: Shawnee A: Mohegan A: Huron A: Oneida A: Lakota A: Crow A: Teton A: Hopi A: Inuit INTEGRATED CIVICS A: Geography 88. Name one of the two longest rivers in the United States. A: Missouri (River) A: Mississippi (River) 89. What ocean is on the West Coast of the United States? A: Pacific (Ocean) 90. What ocean is on the East Coast of the United States? A: Atlantic (Ocean) 91. Name one U.S. territory. A: Puerto Rico A: U.S. Virgin Islands A: American Samoa A: Northern Mariana Islands A: Guam 92. Name one state that borders Canada. A: Maine A: New Hampshire A: Vermont A: New York A: Pennsylvania A: Ohio A: Michigan A: Minnesota A: North Dakota A: Montana A: Idaho A: Washington A: Alaska 93. Name one state that borders Mexico. A: California A: Arizona A: New Mexico A: Texas 94. What is the capital of the United States?* A: Washington, D.C. 95. Where is the Statue of Liberty?* A: New York (Harbor) A: Liberty Island [Also acceptable are New Jersey, near New York City, and on the Hudson (River).] B. Symbols 96. Why does the flag have 13 stripes? A: because there were 13 original colonies A: because the stripes represent the original colonies 97. Why does the flag have 50 stars?* A: because there is one star for each state A: because each star represents a state A: because there are 50 states 98. What is the name of the national anthem? A: The Star-Spangled Banner C: Holidays 99. When do we celebrate Independence Day?* A: July 4 100. Name two national U.S. holidays. A: New Year's Day A: Martin Luther King, Jr., Day A: Presidents' Day A: Memorial Day A: Independence Day A: Labor Day A: Columbus Day A: Veterans Day A: Thanksgiving A: Christmas more

Resolved Question: Who wants to build six packs abs?

I have been receiving a lot of e-mail lately about diet. In the past, I was never concerned about what I ate. I just went to the gym, trained hard, and that was the extent of my routine. Not until recently did I realize the power diet has over the way your body looks and performs. I believe that diet is at least 75% of the fitness equation. In this article, I'm going to describe in detail what I have learned about diet during my 12-week transition period. When to Eat and How Often This might sound strange, but you have to eat more often to lose fat and gain muscle. During my transition period, I never ate less than 6 meals a day. •Try to eat every 2 to 3 hours. •Do not eat complex carbohydrates after 6:00 p.m. or four to five hours before going to bed. •Try to eat one gram of protein per pound of lean body mass on lifting days and .8 grams of protein per pound of lean body mass on non-lifting days. •Never eat more than 70 grams of protein in one meal. Carbohydrates When I think of carbohydrates, I think of energy. Carbohydrates supply our bodies with the energy it needs to make it through a workout. Without an adequate supply of carbohydrates, the body goes into carbohydrate deprivation. This is called a state of ketosis (meaning our body is using protein as energy). This is not a good state to be in for long because it will rob the body of muscle tissue in an effort to create energy. On the other hand, if too many carbohydrates are consumed, they convert into stored fat. The idea is to consume just enough carbohydrates to make it through our workouts with sufficient energy. I have broken down carbohydrates into these three categories: •Simple carbs: These are sugars, or quick energy. They are absorbed very quickly into the body. Ex. Anything with sugar, also fruit •Complex carbs: This is where you get long-term energy for the day. These are long chained carbohydrates that brake down slower, giving us energy over a prolonged period of time. Ex. Oatmeal, potatoes, pasta, rice, breads •Fibrous carbs: These are things like vegetables. I think of them as roughage in order to stay regular. Make sure you include them in you later meals when you can't eat complex carbs. They are also a good source of vitamins. Ex. Leafy vegetables like lettuce. Protein Proteins are the building blocks of our muscles. Without a sufficient amount of protein in our diet, our muscles will not have the raw materials that they need to build up, or even hang on to what is already there. Net protein utilization: Not all protein is created equal. Different foods are absorbed more than others. For example, egg white protein is absorbed at 88%. That means we get about 9 eggs to our muscles. On the other hand, chicken breast are absorbed at 68%, meaning we get about 7 breasts to our muscles. It is imported to eat a wide verity of protein foods though; no one protein source has all the amino acids we need. •Whey protein (100%): the best source of whey protein is from protein supplements. It is also absorbed very fast by the body, so it is best to take this when your body needs amino acids quickly: like right after a workout or when you first get up in the morning. •Egg whites (88%) •Fish (78%) •Chicken breast (78%) •Soy protein: My one bit of advice would be to try and stay away from soy protein. It is not absorbed very well by the body. Fats We normally think of fats as being bad. The fact is certain fats are essential to building muscle and carrying out various functions of the body. There are 2 fat types we need to be concerned about: •Saturated fats: these are the bad fats. Avoid these fats as much as possible. You will find these types of fats mostly in meats •Unsaturated fats: these are the good fats. They are a good energy source and help us build muscle. You can find from plant oils. Peanuts are also a good source. Water Do not under estimate the importance of water! If you are looking to get lean, water will be your best friend. Drink as much as you can and as often as you can. Also, it is very important to drink lots of water when you're eating large amounts of protein to clean urea from the system. Vitamins & minerals As resistance training athletes, we have a greater need for vitamins & minerals. When we workout and bring blood to our muscles it is important that our blood is full of those essential vitamins & minerals if we want to grow. Supplements Supplements are just that, meaning they are used to supplement your diet, not replace it. Don't ever think of it that way. Hierarchy of supplements: I developed this hierarchy of supplements based on what I thought were the most important and also by price. •1. Proper diet: Without proper diet you are just wasting money on supplements. Start here! Do not think that supplements are going to do it for you alone. •2. Multi-vitamin & mineral: It is very important to have all your vitamins & minerals when resistance training. Most of us are lacking in some areas, make it a priority to make this your first supplement. •3. Protein powder: It is usually very hard to get all the protein you need from real foods. Powders make it much easier. Also, these powders are absorbed fast by the body making them ideal after workouts or before and after sleep. •4. Creatine: This is great for harder workouts. It also makes you muscles hang on to water, giving them a better environment to grow. •5. L-glutamine: This is an important amino acid in muscle recovery •6. Branch chained amino acid: These are great before and after workouts along with L-glutamine because it gives your muscles all the amino acids it needs to repair and grow. •7. ZMA: This helps you release more growth hormone while you sleep, increasing your size and strength. •8. Thermogenic: These really help in the fat loss process. They also help you hang on to more muscle while dieting due to the fact you can eat more. •9. Meal replacement: Although very expensive, meal replacements make it much more convenient to get some of your meals in. Also, you can get in more meals than if you were to eat only real foods. "The golden hour" Remember "The golden hour" because it will make things so much easier for you. "The golden hour" is a window of opportunity we have to get everything we have depleted in our body back in a short amount of time. Think of your muscles as a gas tank: When you workout, you use gas for energy or in this case glucose. After a workout, our muscles are in a unique state. They are able to fill back up very quickly leaving you full for the next workout. If you wait to long, your muscles don't fill back up as easily and the carbs you eat are more likely to be stored as fat. Doing this will also let you take advantage of insulin's muscle building effects from the simple carbs you have ingested. You want to ingest 50-75 grams of simple carbs right after a workout. Also, this is when you want to take your protein shake because it will absorb quickly and supply your muscles with the amino acids that they need. Insulin This is a very complicated subject, but all we need to know is that insulin can help us build muscle or can make us fat depending on the timing. Insulin is released by the pancreas in response to elevated blood sugar levels. We can achieve a high blood sugar level by ingesting simple carbs. Like "the golden hour" we have a window of opportunity to take advantage of the muscle building effects of the insulin without getting fat. We have about 4 or 5 hours after we workout to take advantage of insulin. If we take in too many simple carbs out of this window, we are very likely to store fat. Cheat day The theory behind the cheat days is you take one day every 2 weeks to eat anything you want and actually get leaner. It might sound crazy, but it worked for me. When you eat low carbs for a time for body begins to think it is not getting all the food it needs (because your not storing any fat) and begins to slow down your metabolism. When you bombard your body with food on that one day, it tricks your body into thinking it has all it needs and speeds your metabolism back up. I can tell you from experience, every day after a cheat day I felt leaner and looked better. Ketosis This is when your body uses protein for energy. This happens when we have too few carbs in the body or when we over train. I went into the state of ketosis for only the last week of my 12-week transition for a couple of reasons: (1) I wanted all of my muscles to shrink down so when I carbed back up, my skin would be tighter. (2) When you go into ketosis it seems to bring the water out from under the skin. Don't go into this state to loose fat. Without carbs your body can not burn fat effectively. You will loose weight rather quickly, but only because you don't have as much glycogen in the muscle. Also, you are simply loosing water. Remember that proteins are the building blocks for muscle and that means they are fair game for energy when in the state of ketosis. I would not recommend going into this state unless you are trying to get into a super ripped state for a short amount of time, like for a bodybuilding contest. Here are some tips: Keep A Training Journal Detail and record your workout routines and poundages. Each week refer to them and select a few lifts on which to increase the weight. A log will provide a good indication of your training progress and of which exercises are working for you. This allows you to eliminate lifts that are not producing results. Eat Several Small Meals A Day Eating this way insures you are providing your body with adequate nutritional support. Frequent small meals provide a consistent supply of nutrients for the most efficient muscle growth. Many diets provide inadequate, below maintenance levels of calories and nutrition. This results in catabolism of muscle tissue. Eat Protein Try to eat at least 1 gram of protein per lean pound of body weight daily. This is critical for people engaging in high-intensity resistance exercise because they need increased amounts of protein to support muscle growth. This goal can be easily met by supplementing the diet with amino acids or protein. Eat right, and treat your body with respect. Proper exercise will not counteract bad eating habits and poor eating patterns. Avoid Distractions Have conversations before and after workouts if you like, but once the workout begins, become self-centered, serious and selfish with time. Vary Your Program You must become your own exercise scientist. After a period of time, muscles become conditioned to the same routine and exercises--in other words they become immune to the workout. Gains become null. This can be overcome by periodically varying the order, exercises, and muscle groups. Keeping new angles and new exercises incorporated into your routine causes "muscle confusion" which forces muscles to break down more easily. Increase Your Weight Only by increasing the weight as often as possible will you provide muscles with the stimulus to protect themselves from future assaults by building up more muscle mass. This is the single most important fact for increasing muscle size and strength. Train Hard, Not Long Cut back on the amount of lifting you do and raise your intensity level. High-intensity muscular contractions are an absolute requirement for stimulating rapid, large-scale increases in muscular size and strength. Muscles respond to stimulus. Completing an arbitrarily chosen set of reps will not make muscle grow. You must take the last rep to failure--this is the most productive lift. Keep workouts relatively short. Overtraining in the quest for size can halt progress. Overtraining is a common and often fatal mistake made by novice and intermediate bodybuilders. Heavy lifting should not exceed much more than 30 minutes. Train For A Complete Physique It is great to develop exceptional muscle mass and tone, but it is a sorry state of affairs when there is so much body fat on your frame that the muscles you have worked for so hard don't even show. Add some aerobic training to your routine. Twenty minutes of aerobics daily is usually plenty. Calculate your aerobic heart rate by taking 220 minus your age and multiplying that by 70%. Focus On The Muscle Group You Are Working By concentrating on a specific muscle, you will automatically isolate it more. Do not rely heavily on machines. Free weights are more efficient for muscle growth. Breath Corectly Proper breathing is very important. Breathing supplies oxygen to the muscle cells, which is necessary for muscle contraction, and helps deliver energy and build the muscle. Exhale when you lift the weight. Inhale when you lower it. Concentrate On The Negative Most of the damage, and thus gains, in muscularity is caused during the negative (eccentric) portion of the lift. It is more important for growth to control the weight when lowering it than when pressing it upwards (concentric/positive). Concentrate on the negative portion of the lift. That is, lower the weight more slowly than you press it up. Maintain Constant Resitance A lift should be preformed with constant tension. Pressure should remain constant on the muscle group you are training throughout the exercise. May times this can be avoided by not locking out the joint in a effort to rest momentarily. Full Range Of Motion People make serious mistakes by not completing a full range of motion in their lifts. They either miss the top or bottom range. Focus On Form, Not Weight While you should always train as heavily as possible and increase the weight as often as you can, you must also perform the exercises using good form. Heaving a lot of weight can make you feel macho, but improper form will keep you from developing the best physique. Achieve Peak Contraction This is a training principle that turns the average "rep" into a growth-producing blitz. Rather than merely moving the weight up and down, you should actively squeeze it hard for a second at the peak of contraction. Rest Is Critical Allow at least 72 hours of rest before training the same muscle group. Some people may need more recovery time. Very few can get by with less. more

Resolved Question: Health Problems, Just Read this?

Resolved Question: can anyone give me a brief introduction about equal opportunities please?

what is meant by the term equal opportunities more

Resolved Question: Politicians and their Illusion of Power? Take a look a give your opinion:?

http://www.mises.org/story/1396 more

Resolved Question: Jews of Iraq? What about them?

Resolved Question: Liberals are followers and Bush is a leader. Its better to be right than popular?

President Bush's Accomplishments Abortion & Traditional Values 1. Banned Partial Birth Abortion — by far the most significant roll-back of abortion on demand since Roe v. Wade. 2. Reversed Clinton's move to strike Reagan's anti-abortion Mexico Policy. 3. By Executive Order (EO), reversed Clinton's policy of not requiring parental consent for abortions under the Medical Privacy Act. 4. By EO, prohibited federal funds for international family planning groups that provide abortions and related services. 5. Upheld the ban on abortions at military hospitals. 6. Made $33 million available for abstinence education programs in 2004. 7. Supports the Defense of Marriage Act — and a Constitutional amendment saying marriage is between one man and one woman. 8. Requires states to conduct criminal background checks on prospective foster and adoptive parents. 9. Requires districts to let students transfer out of dangerous schools. 10. Requires schools to have a zero-tolerance policy for classroom disruption (reintroducing discipline into classrooms). 11. Signed the Teacher Protection Act, which protects teachers from lawsuits related to student discipline. 12. Expanded the role of faith-based and community organizations in after-school programs. Budget, Taxes & Economy 1. Signed two income tax cuts, one of which was the largest dollar-value tax cut in world history. 2. Supports permanent elimination of the death tax. 3. Turned around an inherited economy that was in recession, and deeply shocked as a result of the 9/11 attacks. 4. Is seeking legislation to amend the Constitution to give the president line-item veto authority. 5. In process of permanently eliminating IRS marriage penalty. 6. Increased small business incentives to expand and to hire new people. 7. Initiated discussion on privatizing Social Security and individual investment accounts. 8. Killed Clinton's "ergonomic" rules that OSHA was about to implement; rules would have shut down every home business in America. 9. Passed tough new laws to hold corporate criminals to account as a result of corporate scandals. 10. Reduced taxes on dividends and capital gains. 11. Signed trade promotion authority. 12. Reduced and is working to ultimately eliminate the estate tax for family farms and ranches. 13. Fight Europe's ban on importing biotech crops from the United States. 14. Exempt food from unilateral trade sanctions and embargoes. 15. Provided $20 million to states to help people with disabilities work from home. 16. Created a fund to encourage technologies that help the disabled. 17. Increased the annual contribution limit on Education IRA's from $500 to $2,000 per child. 18. Make permanent the $5,000 adoption tax credit and provide $1 billion over five years to increase the credit to $10,000. 19. Grant a complete tax exemption for prepaid or college tuition savings plans. 20. Reduced H1B visas from a high of 195,000 per year to 66,000 per year. Character & Conduct as President 1. Changed the tone in the White House, restoring HONOR and DIGNITY to the presidency. 2. Has reintroduced the mention of God and faith into public discourse. 3. Handled himself with enormous courage, dignity, grace, determination, and leadership in the aftermath of the September 11, 2001 hijackings and anthrax attacks. He almost single-handedly held this country together during those searing days: Just three days after the attacks, in his address at the National Cathedral, the President reassured the nation when he said: "War has been waged against us by stealth and deceit and murder. This nation is peaceful, but fierce when stirred to anger. This conflict was begun on the timing and terms of others. It will end in a way, and at an hour, of our choosing." On Friday, September 14, 2001, President Bush visited Ground Zero. Standing on a crushed and burned fire engine atop the smoldering pile at Ground Zero, he put his arm around a retired firefighter who had volunteered to help, and began speaking to the crowd. Rescue workers shouted that they could not hear him. Someone handed him a small American flag and bullhorn. The President spontaneously shouted: "I can hear you. The rest of the world hears you. And the people who knocked these buildings down will hear all of us soon." The crowd roared with cheers and chants of "USA! USA! USA!" Then he raised that American flag and rallied a nation. Education & Employment Training 1. Signed the No Child Left Behind Act, delivering the most dramatic education reforms in a generation (challenging the soft bigotry of low expectations). The very liberal California Teachers union is currently running radio ads against the accountability provisions of this Act. 2. Announced "Jobs for the 21st Century," a comprehensive plan to better prepare workers for jobs in the new millennium by strengthening post-secondary education and job training, and by improving high school education. 3. Is working to provide vouchers to low-income students in persistently failing schools to help with costs of attending private schools. (Blocked in the Senate.) 4. Requires annual reading and math tests in grades three through eight. 5. Requires states to participate in the National Assessment of Education Progress, or an equivalent program, to establish a national benchmark for academic performance. 6. Requires school-by-school accountability report cards. 7. Established a $2.4 billion fund to help states implement teacher accountability systems. 8. Increased funding for the Troops-to-Teachers program, which recruits former military personnel to become teachers. Environment & Energy 1. Killed the Kyoto Global Warming Treaty. 2. Submitted a comprehensive Energy Plan (awaits Congressional action). The plan works to develop cleaner technology, produce more natural gas here at home, make America less dependent on foreign sources of energy, improve national grid, etc. 3. Established a $10 million grant program to promote private conservation initiatives. 4. Significantly eased field-testing controls of genetically engineered crops. 5. Changed parts of the Forestry Management Act to allow necessary cleanup of the national forests in order to reduce fire danger. 6. Part of national forests cleanup: Restricted judicial challenges (based on the Endangered Species Act and other challenges), and removed the need for an Environmental Impact Statement before removing fuels/logging to reduce fire danger. 7. Killed Clinton's CO2 rules that were choking off all of the electricity surplus to California. 8. Provided matching grants for state programs that help private landowners protect rare species. Defense & Foreign Policy 1. Successfully executed two wars in the aftermath of 9/11/01: Afghanistan and Iraq. 50 million people who had lived under tyrannical regimes now live in freedom. 2. Saddam Hussein is now in prison. His two murderous sons are dead. All but a handful of the regime's senior members were killed or captured. 3. Leader by leader and member by member, al Maida is being hunted down in dozens of countries around the world. Of the senior al Qaeda leaders, operational managers, and key facilitators the U.S. Government has been tracking, nearly two-thirds have been taken into custody or killed. The detentions or deaths of senior al Qaeda leaders, including Khalid Shaykh Muhammad, the mastermind of 9/11, and Muhammad Atef, Osama bin Laden's second-in-command until his death in late 2001, have been important in the War on Terror. 4. Disarmed Libya of its chemical, nuclear and biological WMD's without bribes or bloodshed. 5. Continues to execute the War On Terror, getting worldwide cooperation to track funds/terrorists. Has cut off much of the terrorists' funding, and captured or killed many key leaders of the al Qaeda network. 6. Initiated a comprehensive review of our military, which was completed just prior to 9/11/01, and which accurately reported that ASYMMETRICAL WARFARE capabilities were critical in the 21st Century. 7. Killed the old US/Soviet Union ABM Treaty that was preventing the U.S. from deploying our ABM defenses. 8. Has been one of the strongest, if not THE strongest friend Israel has ever hand in the U.S. presidency. 9. Part of the coalition for an Israeli/Palestinian "Roadmap to Peace," along with Great Britain, Russia and the EU. 10. Pushed through THREE raises for our military. Increased military pay by more than $1 billion a year. 11. Signed the LARGEST nuclear arms reduction in world history with Russia. 12. Started withdrawing our troops from Bosnia, and has announced withdrawal of our troops from Germany and the Korean DMZ. 13. Prohibited putting U.S. troops under U.N. command. 14. Paid back UN dues only in return for reforms and reduction of U.S. share of the costs. 15. Earmarked at least 20 percent of the Defense procurement budget for next-generation weaponry. 16. Increased defense research and development spending by at least $20 billion from fiscal 2002 to 2006. 17. Ordered a comprehensive review of military weapons and strategy. 18. Ordered a review of overseas deployments. 19. Ordered renovation of military housing. The military has already upgraded about 10 percent of its inventory and expects to modernize 76,000 additional homes this year. 20. Is working to tighten restrictions on military-technology exports. 21. Brought back our EP-3 intel plane and crew from China without any bribes or bloodshed. Globalization & Internationalism 1. Challenged the United Nations to live up to their responsibilities and not become another League of Nations (in other words, showed the UN to be completely irrelevant). 2. Killed U.S. involvement in the International Criminal Court. 3. Told the United Nations we weren't interested in their plans for gun control (i.e., the International Ban on Small Arms Trafficking Treaty).* 4. The only President since the founding of the UN to essentially tell that organization it is irrelevant. He said: "The conduct of the Iraqi regime is a threat to the authority of the United Nations, and a threat to peace. Iraq has answered a decade of UN demands with a decade of defiance. All the world now faces a test, and the United Nations a difficult and defining moment. Are Security Council resolutions to be honored and enforced, or cast aside without consequence? Will the United Nations serve the purpose of its founding, or will it be irrelevant?" We all know the outcome and the answer. 5. Told the Congress and the world, "America will never seek a permission slip to defend the security of our country." Government Reform 1. Improved government efficiency by putting hundreds of thousands of jobs put up for bid. This weakens public-sector unions and cuts undeserved pay raises. 2. Initiated review of all federal agencies with the goal of eliminating federal jobs (completed September 2003) in an effort to reduce the size of the federal government while increasing private sector jobs. 3. Led the most extensive reorganization the Federal bureaucracy in over 50 years: After 9/11, condensed 20+ overlapping agencies and their intelligence sectors into one agency, the Department of Homeland Security.* 4. Ordered each agency to draft a five-year plan to restructure itself, with fewer managers. 5. Converted federal service contracts to performance-based contracts wherever possible so that the contractor has measurable performance goals. Health 1. Strengthen the National Health Service Corps to put more physicians in the neediest areas, and make its scholarship funds tax-free. 2. Double the research budget of the National Institutes of Health. 3. Signed Medicare Reform, which includes: A 10-year privatization option. Prescription drug benefits: Prior to this reform, Medicare paid for extended hospital stays for ulcer surgery, for example, at a cost of about $28,000 per patient. Yet Medicare would not pay for the drugs that eliminate the cause of most ulcers, drugs that cost about $500 a year. Now, drug coverage under Medicare will allow seniors to replace more expensive surgeries and hospitalizations with less expensive prescription medicine. More health care choices: As President Bush stated, "…when seniors have the ability to make choices, health care plans within Medicare will have to compete for their business by offering higher quality service [at lower cost]. For the seniors of America, more choices and more control will mean better health care. These are the kinds of health care options we give to the members of Congress and federal employees. What's good for members of Congress is also good for seniors. New Health Savings Accounts: Effective January 1, 2004, Americans can set aside up to $4,500 every year, tax free, to save for medical expenses. Depending on your tax bracket, that means you'll save between 10 to 35 percent on any costs covered by money in your account. Every year, the money not spent would stay in the account and gain interest tax-free, just like an IRA. These accounts will be good for small business owners, and employees. More businesses can focus on covering workers for major medical problems, such as hospitalization for an injury or illness. At the same time, employees and their families will use these accounts to cover doctors visits, or lab tests, or other smaller costs. Some employers will contribute to employee health accounts. This will help more American families get the health care they need at the price they can afford. Homeland Security, Border Enforcement & Immigration 1. *See Government Reform above. Under President Bush's leadership, America has made an unprecedented commitment to homeland security. 2. Has CONSTRUCTION in process on the first 10 ABM silos in Alaska so that America will have a defense against North Korean nukes. Has ordered national and theater ballistic missile defenses to be deployed by 2004. 3. Announced a 9.7% increase in government-wide homeland security funding in his FY 2005 budget, nearly tripling the FY 2001 levels (excluding the Department of Defense and Project BioShield). 4. Before DHS was created, there were inspectors from three different agencies of the Federal Government and Border Patrol officers protecting our borders. Through DHS, U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) now consolidates all border activities into a single agency to create "one face at the border." This not only better secures the borders of the United States, but it also eliminates many of the inefficiencies that occurred under the old system. With over 18,000 CBP inspectors and 11,000 Border Patrol agents, CBP has 29,000 uniformed officers on our borders. 5. The Border Patrol is continuing installation of monitoring devices along the borders to detect illegal activity. 6. Launched Operation Tarmac to investigate businesses and workers in the secure areas of domestic airports and ensure immigration law compliance. Since 9/11, DHS has audited 3,640 businesses, examined 259,037 employee records, arrested 1,030 unauthorized workers, and participated in the criminal indictment of 774 individuals. 7. Since September 11, 2001, the Coast Guard has conducted more than 124,000 port security patrols, 13,000 air patrols, boarded more than 92,000 vessels, interdicted over 14,000 individuals attempting to enter the United States illegally, and created and maintained more than 90 Maritime Security Zones. 8. Announced the Student and Exchange Visitor Information System (SEVIS), an internet-based system that is improving America's ability to track and monitor foreign students and exchange visitors. Over 870,000 students are registered in SEVIS. Of 285 completed field investigations, 71 aliens were arrested. 9. This week, the US-VISIT program began to digitally collect biometric identifiers to record the entry and exit of aliens who travel into the U.S on a visa. Together with the standard information, this new program will confirm compliance with visa and immigration policies. 10. Eliminated INS bureaucratic redundancies and lack of accountability. 11. Split the Immigration and Naturalization Service into two agencies: one to protect the border and interior, the other to deal with naturalization. 12. Signed the workplace verification bill to prevent hiring of illegal aliens. 13. Established a six-month deadline for processing immigration applications. 14. Information regarding nearly 100% of all containerized cargo is carefully screened by DHS before it arrives in the United States. Higher risk shipments are physically inspected for terrorist weapons and contraband prior to being released from the port of entry. Advanced technologies are being deployed to identify warning signs of chemical, biological, or radiological attacks. Since September 11, 2001, hundreds of thousands of first responders across America have been trained to recognize and respond to the effects of a WMD attack. Judiciary & Tort Reform 1. Is urging federal liability reform to eliminate frivolous lawsuits. 2. Killed the liberal ABA's unconstitutional role in vetting federal judges. The Senate is supposed to advise and consent, not the ABA. 3. Is nominating strong, conservative judges to the judiciary. 4. Supports class action reform bill which limits lawyer fees so that more settlement money goes to victims. Politics 1. His leadership resulted in Republican gains in the House and Senate, solidifying Republican control of both houses of Congress and the presidency. 2. Signed an EO enforcing the Supreme Court's Beck decision regarding union dues being used for political campaigns against individual's wishes. Second Amendment 1. Ordered Attorney General Ashcroft to formally notify the Supreme Court that the OFFICIAL U.S. government position on the 2nd Amendment is that it supports INDIVIDUAL rights to own firearms, and is NOT a Leftist-imagined "collective" right. 2. Signed TWO bills into law that arm our pilots with handguns in the cockpit. 3. Currently pushing for full immunity from lawsuits for our national gun manufacturers. 4. *See Globalization & Internationalism. Traditional Values, Compassion & Volunteerism 1. Endorses and promotes "The Responsibility Era." President Bush often speaks of the necessity of personal responsibility and civic volunteerism. He said, "In a compassionate society, people respect one another and take responsibility for the decisions they make in life. My hope is to change the culture from one that has said, if it feels good, do it; if you've got a problem, blame somebody else — to one in which every single American understands that he or she is responsible for the decisions that you make; you're responsible for loving your children with all your heart and all your soul; you're responsible for being involved with the quality of the education of your children; you're responsible for making sure the community in which you live is safe; you're responsible for loving your neighbor, just like you would like to be loved yourself." 2. Started the USA Freedom Corps, the most comprehensive clearinghouse of volunteer opportunities ever offered. For the first time in history, Americans can enter geographic information about where they want to get involved, such as state or zip code, as well as areas of interest ranging from education to the environment, and they can access volunteer opportunities offered by more than 50,000 organizations across the country and around the world. 3. Established the The White House Office and the Centers for the Faith-Based and Community Initiative — located in seven Federal agencies. The faith-based initiative supports the essential work of these important organizations. The goal is to make sure that grassroots leaders can compete on an equal footing for federal dollars, receive greater private support, and face fewer bureaucratic barriers. Work focuses on at-risk youth, ex-offenders, the homeless and hungry, substance abusers, those with HIV/AIDS, and welfare-to-work families. 4. The White House released a guidebook fully describing the Administration's belief that faith-based groups have a Constitutionally-protected right to maintain their religious identity through hiring — even when Federal funds are involved. 5. Issued an EO implementing the Supreme Court's Olmstead ruling, which requires moving disabled people from institutions to community-based facilities when possible. 6. Increased funding for low-interest loan programs to help people with disabilities purchase devices to assist them. 7. Revised the Department of Housing and Urban Development's Section 8 rent subsidies to disabled people, permitting them to use up to a year's worth of vouchers to finance down payments on homes. HUD has started pilot programs in 11 states. 8. Committed US funds to purchase medicine for millions of men, women and children now suffering with AIDS in Africa. 9. Heeding the words of our own Declaration of Independence, the president laid out the non-negotiable demands of human dignity for all people everywhere. On January 29, 2002, he said, "No nation owns these aspirations, and no nation is exempt from them. We have no intention of imposing our culture. But America will always stand firm for the non-negotiable demands of human dignity." As stated by the President, they are a virtual manifesto of conservative principles: Equal Justice Freedom of Speech Limited Government Power Private Property Rights Religious Tolerance Respect for Women Rule of Law more

Resolved Question: Goldwater conservatives were sensible. But being a "conservative" today means being a bigot. What happened?

We've gone a long way DOWNHILL, baby! Just 40 years ago, "conservative" was a respectable descriptor. But now it is the label applied to themselves by hateful and ignorant bigots who seek to FORCE girls and women to gestate UNwanted pregnancies to term against their will (which would be a very real, totally unconscionable and UN-Christian, 9-month-long form of rape)... prevent equal housing and employment opportunities to gays, and block them from marrying same-sex partners -- even though there is NO WAY that their doing so would do ANY harm to the marriages of opposite-sex couples. (So much for those "Defense of Marriage" hate laws!) In addition, today's "conservatives" are narrow-minded SOBs who'd love to censor the Internet (and 'most everything else). And who fight legalized gambling (even though they lost that war years ago). Today's "conservative" leaders are RRR cultists. Sociopaths. WHY aren't sensible Americans fighting **harder** to defeat them and their agendas? more

Resolved Question: Why do libs avoid President Bush's Accomplishments?

President Bush's Accomplishments Spotted at Rightnation.us and GOPUSA.com reprinted here for your pleasure. I encourage people who support Bush to learn how effective our President has been, and liberals ought to browse this too. Just remember, the liberal media can't cover up the truth of his accomplishments. The Bush Administration 2001-2004 Abortion & Traditional Values 1. Banned Partial Birth Abortion — by far the most significant roll-back of abortion on demand since Roe v. Wade. 2. Reversed Clinton's move to strike Reagan's anti-abortion Mexico Policy. 3. By Executive Order (EO), reversed Clinton's policy of not requiring parental consent for abortions under the Medical Privacy Act. 4. By EO, prohibited federal funds for international family planning groups that provide abortions and related services. 5. Upheld the ban on abortions at military hospitals. 6. Made $33 million available for abstinence education programs in 2004. 7. Supports the Defense of Marriage Act — and a Constitutional amendment saying marriage is between one man and one woman. 8. Requires states to conduct criminal background checks on prospective foster and adoptive parents. 9. Requires districts to let students transfer out of dangerous schools. 10. Requires schools to have a zero-tolerance policy for classroom disruption (reintroducing discipline into classrooms). 11. Signed the Teacher Protection Act, which protects teachers from lawsuits related to student discipline. 12. Expanded the role of faith-based and community organizations in after-school programs. Budget, Taxes & Economy 1. Signed two income tax cuts, one of which was the largest dollar-value tax cut in world history. 2. Supports permanent elimination of the death tax. 3. Turned around an inherited economy that was in recession, and deeply shocked as a result of the 9/11 attacks. 4. Is seeking legislation to amend the Constitution to give the president line-item veto authority. 5. In process of permanently eliminating IRS marriage penalty. 6. Increased small business incentives to expand and to hire new people. 7. Initiated discussion on privatizing Social Security and individual investment accounts. 8. Killed Clinton's "ergonomic" rules that OSHA was about to implement; rules would have shut down every home business in America. 9. Passed tough new laws to hold corporate criminals to account as a result of corporate scandals. 10. Reduced taxes on dividends and capital gains. 11. Signed trade promotion authority. 12. Reduced and is working to ultimately eliminate the estate tax for family farms and ranches. 13. Fight Europe's ban on importing biotech crops from the United States. 14. Exempt food from unilateral trade sanctions and embargoes. 15. Provided $20 million to states to help people with disabilities work from home. 16. Created a fund to encourage technologies that help the disabled. 17. Increased the annual contribution limit on Education IRA's from $500 to $2,000 per child. 18. Make permanent the $5,000 adoption tax credit and provide $1 billion over five years to increase the credit to $10,000. 19. Grant a complete tax exemption for prepaid or college tuition savings plans. 20. Reduced H1B visas from a high of 195,000 per year to 66,000 per year. Character & Conduct as President 1. Changed the tone in the White House, restoring HONOR and DIGNITY to the presidency. 2. Has reintroduced the mention of God and faith into public discourse. 3. Handled himself with enormous courage, dignity, grace, determination, and leadership in the aftermath of the September 11, 2001 hijackings and anthrax attacks. He almost single-handedly held this country together during those searing days: Just three days after the attacks, in his address at the National Cathedral, the President reassured the nation when he said: "War has been waged against us by stealth and deceit and murder. This nation is peaceful, but fierce when stirred to anger. This conflict was begun on the timing and terms of others. It will end in a way, and at an hour, of our choosing." On Friday, September 14, 2001, President Bush visited Ground Zero. Standing on a crushed and burned fire engine atop the smoldering pile at Ground Zero, he put his arm around a retired firefighter who had volunteered to help, and began speaking to the crowd. Rescue workers shouted that they could not hear him. Someone handed him a small American flag and bullhorn. The President spontaneously shouted: "I can hear you. The rest of the world hears you. And the people who knocked these buildings down will hear all of us soon." The crowd roared with cheers and chants of "USA! USA! USA!" Then he raised that American flag and rallied a nation. Education & Employment Training 1. Signed the No Child Left Behind Act, delivering the most dramatic education reforms in a generation (challenging the soft bigotry of low expectations). The very liberal California Teachers union is currently running radio ads against the accountability provisions of this Act. 2. Announced "Jobs for the 21st Century," a comprehensive plan to better prepare workers for jobs in the new millennium by strengthening post-secondary education and job training, and by improving high school education. 3. Is working to provide vouchers to low-income students in persistently failing schools to help with costs of attending private schools. (Blocked in the Senate.) 4. Requires annual reading and math tests in grades three through eight. 5. Requires states to participate in the National Assessment of Education Progress, or an equivalent program, to establish a national benchmark for academic performance. 6. Requires school-by-school accountability report cards. 7. Established a $2.4 billion fund to help states implement teacher accountability systems. 8. Increased funding for the Troops-to-Teachers program, which recruits former military personnel to become teachers. Environment & Energy 1. Killed the Kyoto Global Warming Treaty. 2. Submitted a comprehensive Energy Plan (awaits Congressional action). The plan works to develop cleaner technology, produce more natural gas here at home, make America less dependent on foreign sources of energy, improve national grid, etc. 3. Established a $10 million grant program to promote private conservation initiatives. 4. Significantly eased field-testing controls of genetically engineered crops. 5. Changed parts of the Forestry Management Act to allow necessary cleanup of the national forests in order to reduce fire danger. 6. Part of national forests cleanup: Restricted judicial challenges (based on the Endangered Species Act and other challenges), and removed the need for an Environmental Impact Statement before removing fuels/logging to reduce fire danger. 7. Killed Clinton's CO2 rules that were choking off all of the electricity surplus to California. 8. Provided matching grants for state programs that help private landowners protect rare species. Defense & Foreign Policy 1. Successfully executed two wars in the aftermath of 9/11/01: Afghanistan and Iraq. 50 million people who had lived under tyrannical regimes now live in freedom. 2. Saddam Hussein is now in prison. His two murderous sons are dead. All but a handful of the regime's senior members were killed or captured. 3. Leader by leader and member by member, al Maida is being hunted down in dozens of countries around the world. Of the senior al Qaeda leaders, operational managers, and key facilitators the U.S. Government has been tracking, nearly two-thirds have been taken into custody or killed. The detentions or deaths of senior al Qaeda leaders, including Khalid Shaykh Muhammad, the mastermind of 9/11, and Muhammad Atef, Osama bin Laden's second-in-command until his death in late 2001, have been important in the War on Terror. 4. Disarmed Libya of its chemical, nuclear and biological WMD's without bribes or bloodshed. 5. Continues to execute the War On Terror, getting worldwide cooperation to track funds/terrorists. Has cut off much of the terrorists' funding, and captured or killed many key leaders of the al Qaeda network. 6. Initiated a comprehensive review of our military, which was completed just prior to 9/11/01, and which accurately reported that ASYMMETRICAL WARFARE capabilities were critical in the 21st Century. 7. Killed the old US/Soviet Union ABM Treaty that was preventing the U.S. from deploying our ABM defenses. 8. Has been one of the strongest, if not THE strongest friend Israel has ever hand in the U.S. presidency. 9. Part of the coalition for an Israeli/Palestinian "Roadmap to Peace," along with Great Britain, Russia and the EU. 10. Pushed through THREE raises for our military. Increased military pay by more than $1 billion a year. 11. Signed the LARGEST nuclear arms reduction in world history with Russia. 12. Started withdrawing our troops from Bosnia, and has announced withdrawal of our troops from Germany and the Korean DMZ. 13. Prohibited putting U.S. troops under U.N. command. 14. Paid back UN dues only in return for reforms and reduction of U.S. share of the costs. 15. Earmarked at least 20 percent of the Defense procurement budget for next-generation weaponry. 16. Increased defense research and development spending by at least $20 billion from fiscal 2002 to 2006. 17. Ordered a comprehensive review of military weapons and strategy. 18. Ordered a review of overseas deployments. 19. Ordered renovation of military housing. The military has already upgraded about 10 percent of its inventory and expects to modernize 76,000 additional homes this year. 20. Is working to tighten restrictions on military-technology exports. 21. Brought back our EP-3 intel plane and crew from China without any bribes or bloodshed. Globalization & Internationalism 1. Challenged the United Nations to live up to their responsibilities and not become another League of Nations (in other words, showed the UN to be completely irrelevant). 2. Killed U.S. involvement in the International Criminal Court. 3. Told the United Nations we weren't interested in their plans for gun control (i.e., the International Ban on Small Arms Trafficking Treaty).* 4. The only President since the founding of the UN to essentially tell that organization it is irrelevant. He said: "The conduct of the Iraqi regime is a threat to the authority of the United Nations, and a threat to peace. Iraq has answered a decade of UN demands with a decade of defiance. All the world now faces a test, and the United Nations a difficult and defining moment. Are Security Council resolutions to be honored and enforced, or cast aside without consequence? Will the United Nations serve the purpose of its founding, or will it be irrelevant?" We all know the outcome and the answer. 5. Told the Congress and the world, "America will never seek a permission slip to defend the security of our country." Government Reform 1. Improved government efficiency by putting hundreds of thousands of jobs put up for bid. This weakens public-sector unions and cuts undeserved pay raises. 2. Initiated review of all federal agencies with the goal of eliminating federal jobs (completed September 2003) in an effort to reduce the size of the federal government while increasing private sector jobs. 3. Led the most extensive reorganization the Federal bureaucracy in over 50 years: After 9/11, condensed 20+ overlapping agencies and their intelligence sectors into one agency, the Department of Homeland Security.* 4. Ordered each agency to draft a five-year plan to restructure itself, with fewer managers. 5. Converted federal service contracts to performance-based contracts wherever possible so that the contractor has measurable performance goals. Health 1. Strengthen the National Health Service Corps to put more physicians in the neediest areas, and make its scholarship funds tax-free. 2. Double the research budget of the National Institutes of Health. 3. Signed Medicare Reform, which includes: A 10-year privatization option. Prescription drug benefits: Prior to this reform, Medicare paid for extended hospital stays for ulcer surgery, for example, at a cost of about $28,000 per patient. Yet Medicare would not pay for the drugs that eliminate the cause of most ulcers, drugs that cost about $500 a year. Now, drug coverage under Medicare will allow seniors to replace more expensive surgeries and hospitalizations with less expensive prescription medicine. More health care choices: As President Bush stated, "…when seniors have the ability to make choices, health care plans within Medicare will have to compete for their business by offering higher quality service [at lower cost]. For the seniors of America, more choices and more control will mean better health care. These are the kinds of health care options we give to the members of Congress and federal employees. What's good for members of Congress is also good for seniors. New Health Savings Accounts: Effective January 1, 2004, Americans can set aside up to $4,500 every year, tax free, to save for medical expenses. Depending on your tax bracket, that means you'll save between 10 to 35 percent on any costs covered by money in your account. Every year, the money not spent would stay in the account and gain interest tax-free, just like an IRA. These accounts will be good for small business owners, and employees. More businesses can focus on covering workers for major medical problems, such as hospitalization for an injury or illness. At the same time, employees and their families will use these accounts to cover doctors visits, or lab tests, or other smaller costs. Some employers will contribute to employee health accounts. This will help more American families get the health care they need at the price they can afford. Homeland Security, Border Enforcement & Immigration 1. *See Government Reform above. Under President Bush's leadership, America has made an unprecedented commitment to homeland security. 2. Has CONSTRUCTION in process on the first 10 ABM silos in Alaska so that America will have a defense against North Korean nukes. Has ordered national and theater ballistic missile defenses to be deployed by 2004. 3. Announced a 9.7% increase in government-wide homeland security funding in his FY 2005 budget, nearly tripling the FY 2001 levels (excluding the Department of Defense and Project BioShield). 4. Before DHS was created, there were inspectors from three different agencies of the Federal Government and Border Patrol officers protecting our borders. Through DHS, U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) now consolidates all border activities into a single agency to create "one face at the border." This not only better secures the borders of the United States, but it also eliminates many of the inefficiencies that occurred under the old system. With over 18,000 CBP inspectors and 11,000 Border Patrol agents, CBP has 29,000 uniformed officers on our borders. 5. The Border Patrol is continuing installation of monitoring devices along the borders to detect illegal activity. 6. Launched Operation Tarmac to investigate businesses and workers in the secure areas of domestic airports and ensure immigration law compliance. Since 9/11, DHS has audited 3,640 businesses, examined 259,037 employee records, arrested 1,030 unauthorized workers, and participated in the criminal indictment of 774 individuals. 7. Since September 11, 2001, the Coast Guard has conducted more than 124,000 port security patrols, 13,000 air patrols, boarded more than 92,000 vessels, interdicted over 14,000 individuals attempting to enter the United States illegally, and created and maintained more than 90 Maritime Security Zones. 8. Announced the Student and Exchange Visitor Information System (SEVIS), an internet-based system that is improving America's ability to track and monitor foreign students and exchange visitors. Over 870,000 students are registered in SEVIS. Of 285 completed field investigations, 71 aliens were arrested. 9. This week, the US-VISIT program began to digitally collect biometric identifiers to record the entry and exit of aliens who travel into the U.S on a visa. Together with the standard information, this new program will confirm compliance with visa and immigration policies. 10. Eliminated INS bureaucratic redundancies and lack of accountability. 11. Split the Immigration and Naturalization Service into two agencies: one to protect the border and interior, the other to deal with naturalization. 12. Signed the workplace verification bill to prevent hiring of illegal aliens. 13. Established a six-month deadline for processing immigration applications. 14. Information regarding nearly 100% of all containerized cargo is carefully screened by DHS before it arrives in the United States. Higher risk shipments are physically inspected for terrorist weapons and contraband prior to being released from the port of entry. Advanced technologies are being deployed to identify warning signs of chemical, biological, or radiological attacks. Since September 11, 2001, hundreds of thousands of first responders across America have been trained to recognize and respond to the effects of a WMD attack. Judiciary & Tort Reform 1. Is urging federal liability reform to eliminate frivolous lawsuits. 2. Killed the liberal ABA's unconstitutional role in vetting federal judges. The Senate is supposed to advise and consent, not the ABA. 3. Is nominating strong, conservative judges to the judiciary. 4. Supports class action reform bill which limits lawyer fees so that more settlement money goes to victims. Politics 1. His leadership resulted in Republican gains in the House and Senate, solidifying Republican control of both houses of Congress and the presidency. 2. Signed an EO enforcing the Supreme Court's Beck decision regarding union dues being used for political campaigns against individual's wishes. Second Amendment 1. Ordered Attorney General Ashcroft to formally notify the Supreme Court that the OFFICIAL U.S. government position on the 2nd Amendment is that it supports INDIVIDUAL rights to own firearms, and is NOT a Leftist-imagined "collective" right. 2. Signed TWO bills into law that arm our pilots with handguns in the cockpit. 3. Currently pushing for full immunity from lawsuits for our national gun manufacturers. 4. *See Globalization & Internationalism. Traditional Values, Compassion & Volunteerism 1. Endorses and promotes "The Responsibility Era." President Bush often speaks of the necessity of personal responsibility and civic volunteerism. He said, "In a compassionate society, people respect one another and take responsibility for the decisions they make in life. My hope is to change the culture from one that has said, if it feels good, do it; if you've got a problem, blame somebody else — to one in which every single American understands that he or she is responsible for the decisions that you make; you're responsible for loving your children with all your heart and all your soul; you're responsible for being involved with the quality of the education of your children; you're responsible for making sure the community in which you live is safe; you're responsible for loving your neighbor, just like you would like to be loved yourself." 2. Started the USA Freedom Corps, the most comprehensive clearinghouse of volunteer opportunities ever offered. For the first time in history, Americans can enter geographic information about where they want to get involved, such as state or zip code, as well as areas of interest ranging from education to the environment, and they can access volunteer opportunities offered by more than 50,000 organizations across the country and around the world. 3. Established the The White House Office and the Centers for the Faith-Based and Community Initiative — located in seven Federal agencies. The faith-based initiative supports the essential work of these important organizations. The goal is to make sure that grassroots leaders can compete on an equal footing for federal dollars, receive greater private support, and face fewer bureaucratic barriers. Work focuses on at-risk youth, ex-offenders, the homeless and hungry, substance abusers, those with HIV/AIDS, and welfare-to-work families. 4. The White House released a guidebook fully describing the Administration's belief that faith-based groups have a Constitutionally-protected right to maintain their religious identity through hiring — even when Federal funds are involved. 5. Issued an EO implementing the Supreme Court's Olmstead ruling, which requires moving disabled people from institutions to community-based facilities when possible. 6. Increased funding for low-interest loan programs to help people with disabilities purchase devices to assist them. 7. Revised the Department of Housing and Urban Development's Section 8 rent subsidies to disabled people, permitting them to use up to a year's worth of vouchers to finance down payments on homes. HUD has started pilot programs in 11 states. 8. Committed US funds to purchase medicine for millions of men, women and children now suffering with AIDS in Africa. 9. Heeding the words of our own Declaration of Independence, the president laid out the non-negotiable demands of human dignity for all people everywhere. On January 29, 2002, he said, "No nation owns these aspirations, and no nation is exempt from them. We have no intention of imposing our culture. But America will always stand firm for the non-negotiable demands of human dignity." As stated by the President, they are a virtual manifesto of conservative principles: Equal Justice Freedom of Speech Limited Government Power Private Property Rights Religious Tolerance Respect for Women Rule of Law more

Resolved Question: Is this why the libs hate BUSH?

Resolved Question: Good Conclusion?

I have worked so hard on writing this paper..all I need now is a conclusion which I suck at...please help. Lyndon Baines Johnson and His Role in Government Lyndon Baines Johnson was born on August 27, 1908 in central Texas. As he grew up, Johnson experienced plenty of rural poverty. Johnson gained the friendship of the influential Sam Rayburn, at whose behest President Franklin D. Roosevelt made him director in Texas of the National Youth Administration in 1935. He later learned the compassion for the poverty of others when he taught students of the Mexican ethnicity. In 1937, Johnson won election to a congressional seat, and he was consistently re-elected through 1946. Johnson was elected U.S. Senator from Texas after winning the Democratic primary by 87 votes in 1948. Johnson persuaded the Armed Services Committee to set up the Preparedness Investigating Subcommittee, of which he became chairman in 1950. Rising rapidly in the Senate hierarchy, Johnson became the Democratic whip and then the floor leader. He suffered a serious heart attack in 1955 but recovered to continue his senatorial command. Lyndon B. Johnson played a major role in American Government. ““A Great Society” for the American people and their fellow men elsewhere was the vision of Lyndon B. Johnson.” In 1960 Johnson, as John F. Kennedy’s running mate, was elected as Vice President. Elected with Kennedy, he happily supported John F. Kennedy’s programs, serving as an American emissary to nations throughout the world and as chairman of the National Aeronautics and Space Council and of the President’s Committee on Equal Employment Opportunities. He later became president on November 22, 1963, when Kennedy was assassinated. The first thing he did was obtain a new civil rights bill and a tax cut (the measures President Kennedy had been urging at the time of his death). Next, he urged the US ““to build a great society, a place where the meaning of man’s life matches the marvels of man’s labor.” ” Having a 61 percent vote and having the widest popular margin in American History, Johnson won Presidency in 1964. “In May, 1964, Johnson called for a nationwide war against poverty and outlined a vast program of economic and social welfare legislation designed to create what he termed the Great Society.” Johnson wanted the best for Americans with the Great Society program and the Social Security Act in 1965. Despite the unrest and rioting in black ghettos, the beginning of new antipoverty and anti discrimination programs, Lyndon B. Johnson steadily kept his influence against segregation on behalf of law and order. Other issues arose from the Viet Nam. Although Johnson exerted efforts to end communist aggression and achieve a settlement, fighting continued. Johnson pushed harder to achieve a victorious outcome in the Vietnam War. He began a bombing campaign called “rolling thunder.” In order to protect the air base inside Vietnam from the attacks that could take place, Johnson sent Marines into the Danang to guard Air Force bases there. This decision began the gradual process of sending more and more U. S Troop to Vietnam. By 1966 over half a million American troops were operating in Vietnam. When Johnson limited the bombing of North Viet Nam in order to start negotiations, controversy of the war began to settle down. Johnson “startled the world by withdrawing as a candidate for re-election so that he might devote his full efforts, unimpeded by purifies, to the quest for peace. Lyndon B. Johnson left the war and the White House in the hands of his Vice President Hubert Humphrey. However, Humphrey lost the election of 1968 against Richard Nixon. The Vietnam War was now in the hands of Nixon. Johnson wanted a Great Society for all American people. He did many things to accomplish this goal. Such accomplishments, was when the 89th Congress produced more major legislative action than any other since the New Deal. A bill providing free medical care to the aged under Social Security was also enacted, as was Medicaid. Johnson’s desire in having federal aid to education at all levels was greatly expanded and the Voting Rights Act of 1965 provided new safeguards for African-American voters. As a result of Johnson’s growing up in poverty, more money went to antipoverty programs and the departments of Transportation and of Housing and Urban Development were added to the Cabinet. more

Resolved Question: Should we give money to poor ppl?

ZAKAAT (Alms) Ramadan is the month of giving and benevolence, the Messenger was more benevolent than a falling rain. Muslims are encouraged to emulate the Messenger of Allah (saas), to assess and pay their Zakaat during the month of Ramadan, thus combining the two pillars of Islam at the same time. Zakaat (alms) is the name of what a believer returns out of his or her wealth to the neediest of Muslims for the sake of the Almighty Allah. It is called Zakaat because the word Zakaat is from Zakaa which means, to increase, purify and bless. Who Should Give Zakaat The obligation of Zakaat is mandatory on every Muslim who possesses the minimum Nisaab, whether the person is man, woman, young, old sane or insane. Because the proof of Zakaat in Al-Qur`an and Sunnah is general and does not exclude young or insane. Allah (SWT) stated that: "Of their goods take alms so that thou mightiest purify and sanctify them..." (Al-Qur`an, 9: 103) Imam Ibn Hazim said that every Muslim young or old sane or insane needs to cleanse his or her wealth with Zakaat because of generality of the evidence. Anas bin Malik reported that the Messenger of Allah (saas) said: "Trade with the money of the orphan, lest it is eaten up by Zakaat." (At-Tabraani) In another Hadith `Amru bin Shuaib related from his grandfather that the Messenger of Allah said: "Whoever is entrusted with money of an orphan should trade with it and should not leave it sitting to be used up by charity." (Tirmidhi) The point of reference in these reports is that the Messenger (saas) urged the trustee on the estate of people who due to age or other reasons cannot manage their own financial affairs, to invest it in a business that will yield a return and make it grow until they are in a position to do so themselves. For, if proper investment is not made with an ophan's inheritance, it will be depleted by charity, thus leaving the orphan with little or nothing. The Nisaab The Lawgiver, Allah has prescribed the minimum amount that is obligatory for Zakaat in different ranges of properties, and that minimum amount is known as nisaab. The reason for nisaab is to ensure that no one is forced to give Zakaat out of what he or she does not have, and that no wealth goes without Zakaat. Nisaab is also an insurance against the tyranny of the state to tax the poor and or the neediest as is the case in many countries. Nisaab is a reference point for the average Muslim who is not sure whether he possesses the minimum wealth on which Zakaat is obligatory. The wealthy need not worry about the Nisaab. Zakaat is obligatory on their entire wealth and must be paid out at the end of financial year that they set for their Zakaat. The Nisaab will not be valid unless it fulfills two conditions: 1) The amount that has reached Nisaab must be the excess or surplus known as "faadil" from one's essential needs such as food, clothing, housing, vehicles, tools and machinery that is used in business. The essentials for living are exempted from Zakaat. Although what constitutes nisaab may change from one country to another, the amount that is needed for the basic needs of living in different countries is very similar, because the market place determines the prices, whether it is an official market or a non-official market. In the poorest countries people do without or live below the poverty standard, and that is why many go hungry or without basic essentials. However, we must realize that Zakaat is an act of worship (ebadah) like Salaat. The element of intention (niyyah) is necessary, and we should not overly rely on state agencies to determine for us the requirements of our religious duty. The so called the "consumption basket" (that is poverty level as determined the social security administration which are updated every fiscal year) may not be the same as what Islam considers minimum Nisaab. In the industrialized countries, the consumption basket may include items that are not necessarily essential, such as entertainment, extra clothing, variety of food, eating in restaurant or eating at home, owning more than one car as opposed to having three cars in the driveway, drinking water as opposed to juices, eating regular food or special "health" food. This is why I believe it is essential that we do not lose site of the fact that Zakaat is ebadah of wealth, like salaat and fasting. Non Muslims may consider all the things mentioned above as essentials while Muslims will not. Indeed, no Muslims in good standing will attempt to hide behind the label of consumption basket so as to evade Zakaat. Nisaab eliminates the possibility of injustice or unfair treatment of the Zakaat payer. To suggest that if we do not follow the rules of International Monetary Fund or the arbitrary figures of social security administration or department of agriculture we will be doing injustice to the Zakaat payer is ludicrous. 2) Nisaab must mature, that is the money is not liable for Zakaat unless it has remained a full year in the possession of a person. This is the understanding of the majority of the scholars. Imam Abu Hanifah (raa) said: "What should be considered is the existence of nisaab at the beginning and the end of the Zakaat year set by the payer". It does not matter if the nisaab money increases or decreases during the calendar year, as we will explain later. This condition does not include farm produce, for it is due on the day it is harvested. Allah (SWT) stated: "... But render the dues that are proper on the day that the harvest is gathered..." (Al-Qur`an, 6: 141) According to Imam Al-`Abadi, (raa) Zakaat money is of two kinds: one that by its nature can not be invested and Zakaat of this category is due on the day of harvest. This includes all the farm produce that is liable for Zakaat. The other is wealth that can be invested in the hope of a good return, like cash, gold or silver, because the opportunity is there that cash in one's hand can be invested for a good return. This includes currency investment, merchandise and livestock. Their Zakaat is not due until they have matured in one full year. The proof of this condition is the Hadith related by Ibn `Umar that the Messenger of Allah (saas) said: "He who acquires property is not liable for Zakaat on it till a year passes." According to Ibn Rushd (raa) this is the understanding of the majority of scholars, including the four rightly guided Khalifahs. Zakaat Of Salaries The condition of yearly term maturity applies to the commodities on which the Lawgiver said Zakaat is due, and this includes silver, gold, modern paper currency and livestock. Paper currency is analogous to silver, therefore, it takes the case of silver. There is no Zakaat on salary, earned income from wage earners or professionals or independent contractors until such money matures in a full year. There is no such thing as paying your Zakaat on the day you receive your paycheck. What the wage earner must know is that he or she can purify that money with charity (sadaqah) anytime they cash the paycheck. Allah (SWT) states: "And in their wealth and possessions (was remembered) the right of the needy, he who asks and he who (for some reason) was prevented (from asking)." (Al-Qur`an, 51: 19). We can deduce from the concept of "yearly maturity" of wealth on which Zakaat is due as encouraging, among other things, saving on the part of the Zakaat payer, and enhances the chances for eradicating poverty, because if the poor receives his rightful share of Zakaat there will be the possibility that he can take Zakaat money and invest it and become a Zakaat payer instead of recipient. This possibility will be lost if he receives few Zakaat dollars every month. To say that the wage earner just brings his check home and spends everything on necessities and lives from check to check with nothing left over means the person is eligible for Zakaat. Using farm produce as analogous to salary for Zakaat is wrong analogy. As Imam Al-`Abadi said, these are two different categories of money. $2, 500.00 cash can be invested by the person and expect a good return whereas it will be difficult to invest a bushel of corn. It can be traded as a commodity, which is what it is. This why we must know that analogy has rules that must be followed before it is applied. Certainly the jurists are unanimous that earned income, known as almal al-mustafadah, should either be added to existing money and wait until that amount reaches maturity and then give their Zakaat; or if there is no money on hand the time one possesses this money, he or she should wait one full year before assessing it for Zakaat. Zakaat is one of the five pillars of Islam and a vital element in the religion of Islam. It is the twin sister of Salaat. In Al-Qur`an, Allah (SWT) stated: "So establish regular Prayer and give regular Alms; and obey the Messenger; that you may receive mercy." (Al-Qur`an, 24: 56) Also, "...Establish regular Prayer and give regular Alms, and loan to Allah a beautiful loan...." (Al-Qur`an, 73: 20) "And they have been commanded no more than this: to worship Allah, offering Him sincere devotion, being true (in faith); to establish regular Prayer and to practice regular charity; and that is the religion right and straight." (Al-Qur`an, 98: 5) In a famous Hadith reported by `Umar Bin Khattab (raa), the Messenger of Allah (saas) responded to Jibreel (as) and said: "... Islam is to testify that there is no deity but Allah and Muhammad is the Messenger of Allah, to perform the prayer, to pay Zakaat, to observe fasting in Ramadan, and to make pilgrimage to the house of Allah if you are able to do os...." (Bukhari, Muslim) There is consensus among Muslim scholars that it is mandatory on every believer who is financially able. Whoever knowingly denies this obligation, while he possesses the minimum amount, would be considered a disbeliever and a renegade from Islam. Whoever is stingy, or tries to cheat, is considered among the wrongdoers. Zakaat is mandatory on four categories of items. 1. Farm produce of seeds and fruits, such as wheat, barley, rice, dates, raisins, cocoa, pistachios, coffee, cashews. Allah (SWT) stated: "O you who believe, give of the good things which you have (honorably) earned, and of the fruits of the earth which We have produced for you..." (Al-Qur`an, 2: 267) Also: "... But render the dues that are proper on the day that the harvest is gathered..." (Al-Qur`an, 6: 141) Thus, these two verses and many others indicate that Zakaat is due on farm products that reached the minimum amount (nisaab). No farm product is liable for Zakaat unless it is a product that is considered as food and can be stocked or saved naturally without refrigeration. If the produce is perishable fruit, such as grapes, there is no Zakaat. But if one sells them they will pay their Zakaat on the profit earned when it matures. The nisaab is 612 kilos, which equals 1,346.40 lb. There is no Zakaat on produce that is less than this amount. If the farm produce or crops grow dependant on rainwater, or without any man's labor or irrigation, Zakaat due is one-tenth of the total. If it is grown by irrigation, then the Zakaat due is half of one-tenth of the total produce. There is no Zakaat on fruits like apples or oranges or vegetables which are perishable and need refrigeration for long storage, but they should be considered as any income if the profit earned from their sale reaches the amount of Zakaat, then Zakaat should be given. 2. Cattle, including camels, cows, sheep and goats, that are freely graze and are raised for trade and production. For Zakaat to be obligatory, the number must reach the nisaab. The nisaab of camels is five, of cows 30, of sheep and goats, 40. By freely grazing is meant the animal goes out to feed without the owner buying or bringing it feed or hay. If it is not a grazing animal, there is no Zakaat in the stock by itself. The stock will, however, be considered as articles of trade, then will be assessed for Zakaat as articles of trade when the profit earned from their sale reaches the amount by itself or in combination with other articles of the trade. 3. Merchandise and goods of trade and commerce. This includes anything that is obtained for the business of buying and selling: land, animals, food provisions, fabric, cars, spare parts, etc. This inventory is evaluated annually and assessed for Zakaat, whether the value is the same as the amount spent on it, more, or less. The owners of grocery stores, like any other business, must evaluate every item and give their Zakaat. Simple bookkeeping of inventory, orders, cash on hand, and credits, that is non-delinquent loans, will give one a good picture of the zakaatable assets. But if one is unable to account for everything in the store or shop, he should assess it according to his ability until he is sure that his conscience is clear. There is no Zakaat on what is within one's dwelling or property which includes food, drinks, furniture, houses, animals, cars, clothes and shoes. The only exception is gold and silver. There is no Zakaat on assets from rentals or lease, whether they are apartment units, taxi cabs, etc. That is, there is no Zakaat on the apartment units, buses or cars for rental like yellow cabs company or trucks for rental or equipments. But there is Zakaat on the proceeds or incomes from these rental assets if these assets reach the executable amount, either by themselves or in combination with other assets. Business Activities Many scholars are of the opinion that any business activity that brings any return to the entrepreneur or investor should be assessed for Zakaat. If the activity has a prescribed nisaab, such as gold, silver or paper currency, that nisaab is applied for Zakaat. But if the business has no declared nisaab, its nisaab is the nisaab of commerce, one reason being that most business activities are considered as commerce and because, in actual fact, it is not factitious business name, such as GM, Apple or GE that is taxed for Zakaat, it is the individual investor. We do not tax cooperations such IBM, Apple, GM or Rajihy Bank but the individual investors, share holders and owners of these corporations. Indeed, there are enough rules in Zakaat books to cover all types of business activity, be it cash or risk investment. If the business activity is analogous to commerce, it should be assessed the same rate as commerce. To subject the business to a different Zakaat rate of 10%, which is the rate of farm products instead of its correct rate of 2.5%, the rate of commerce, is unfair and unjustified. Besides, there is no proof, even a weak one, to justify this unfair arbitrary taxation. The difference between 2.5% and 10% is high. The Zakaat system is not like a state revenue collection, but Allah's `ebadah. However, if a business person decides to give more than 2.5% after deducting all the expenses including depreciation, Allah (SWT) will accept it from him. 4. Gold and silver, whether used for commerce or jewelry. Allah (SWT) states: "...And there are those who bury gold and silver and spend it not in the way of Allah: announce unto them a most grievous penalty. On the day when heat will be produced out of that (wealth) in the fire of hell, and with it will be branded their foreheads, their flanks and their backs. This is the (treasure) which you buried for yourselves: taste you, then, the (treasures) you buried." (Al-Qur`an, 9: 34-35). By hoarding is meant refusal to give it in the path of Allah, which includes Zakaat. In a hadith reported by Abu Hurairah (raa), the Messenger of Allah (saas) said: "For the owner or possessor of gold and silver who does not fulfill its obligation, on the Day of Resurrection it will be cast into sheets of fire and be branded on his forehead, side and back. Whenever it cools it is to be repeated for him in a day whose length is the length of fifty thousand years, until the judgement is rendered among the people." (Muslim). By its obligation is meant assessing it for Zakaat. In another version: "No possessor of a treasure who does not give its Zakaat." Zakaat is mandatory in gold and silver, irrespective of its form: in coins, raw or nugget, or jewelry for wearing, or for rent, because of the generality of evidence of Zakaat without any detail. In a report by Abdullah bin `Amr bin `Aas (raa), he related that a woman came to the Messenger of Allah with her daughter. On the daughter's wrist were two heavy gold bracelets. The Messenger asked her, "Do you pay Zakaat on this?" She replied, "No." The Messenger said: "Would it please you that Allah will encircle you with two bracelets of fire?" The reporter commented that she took them off and threw them down in front of the Messenger, and said: "They are for Allah and his Messenger." (Ahmed, Tirmidhi). The Messenger's wife reported that: "The Messenger entered into my house and saw in my hand a huge ring made of silver, so he asked, `What is this?' I replied, `I made them to beautify myself for you, O Messenger of Allah.' He inquired, `Do you give their Zakaat?' I said, `No,' or `Allah willing.' He said: `It will suffice you in the hellfire.'" (Abu Dawuud). Zakaat is due on gold when it reaches the amount of (nisaab), which is 20 Dinaar. According to a hadith, the Messenger said: "No Zakaat on you is due until it reaches 20 dinaar." (Abu Dawud) The Islamic dinaar (currency) is one mithqal, a unit of weight which weighs four and one quarter of a gram. Thus, the nisaab is 85 grams. This is equal to $30.00 US dollars. Similarly, there is no Zakaat on silver until it reaches five oqiyah, because the Messenger said: "There is no Zakaat on less then five oqiyah." (Muslim/Bukhari) Oqiyah is equal to forty Islamic dirhams. The nisaab is 200 dirhams. One dirham is equivalent to 595 grams. The zakaatable amount in both the gold and silver is a quarter of a tenth only. Paper Currency There is Zakaat on modern paper currency because it is equivalent to silver. During the early days of Islam, silver and gold were the currency of exchange minted into dirham for silver and dinaar for gold. Silver, not gold, had a larger circulation. Thus many scholars are of opinion that silver should be the standard for the paper currencies of today because that is more advantageous to the Zakaat payer, as it raises the minimum nisaab whereas gold lowers it. Although both metals are no longer circulated, they are still considered as a security against ever fluctuating paper money. Silver should be used as a standard to assess Zakaat annually, not paper currency, even if the currency is hard currency like the US dollar, Yen and Deutch Mark or Pound Sterling. Because these currencies are backed by political decisions that may not have anything to do with the economy, the value and strength of this paper money depends largely on all haram usury system of interest rates. Thus, the Zakaat payer should look up in the local newspaper's financial or business section for the price of silver which is currently about $3.82. per ounce. The nisaab, then, is 596 x .04=28.80 ounce multiplied by$3.82= 90.91. therefore. The nisaab is about $100.00, as of December 17, 1991. The nisaab should be based on the market value of the currency. If the money is hard currency, there will be no problem, but if the money is a non-marketable currency, like most currencies in the third world countries, the nisaab should be based on the black market, which realistically reflects the value of the currency on the money market. In any case, the silver rate should be used to assess the Zakaat. If the nisaab is determined, the zakaatable amount is 2.5%, or .025 multiplied by the amount. For instance, if the zakaatable amount is $56,000.00 it will be 56,000. x .025 = $1,400.00. Zakaat is due on gold, silver, and or paper currency, whether it is cash in hand or credit in the hands of borrowers. Zakaat is due on debts or cost of merchandize or rental money. If the borrower is a wealthy person that you know will pay back the debt, the lender (that is Halaal lending free of usury) should include that money in the assessment and give its Zakaat. However, one can delay Zakaat on a loan until he receives payment, then return its Zakaat for the past years that he was unable to assess for Zakaat. If the borrower is poor or is refusing to pay the debt, there will be no Zakaat on the money until the lender receives the money. Then he will assess it for Zakaat of one past due year, but there will be no Zakaat in the years before that. There is no Zakaat on precious stones such as diamonds, or metals such uranium, regardless of their value. Gold and silver, of course are assessed for Zakaat. However, if a person possesses any of these stones or metals, he should give their Zakaat like any other articles of trade. If a person possesses diamonds or any other precious stones as an edge against inflation or for ornaments, there will no Zakaat on these. How To Give Zakaat Zakaat may be assessed and returned in two ways: a) Make a record of all money earned, either daily or monthly, which has reached the nisaab and remains in the treasury. The Zakaat of that money would be due one year later on the same day the money was earned and reached nisaab. This means every month's income must be set aside and assessed for Zakaat and so will be the case for the rest of the months. For instance, the income of January, 1991 will be assessed for Zakaat in January, 1992, and the income of February, 1991 will be assessed for Zakaat in February 1992, etc. This method of assessing Zakaat is very difficult because it entails complete bookkeeping of daily or monthly earnings. b) The best way is to set a day or a month, preferably Ramadan, for your annual Zakaat return calendar, say Ramadan 1st, 1412. One year later on the same day Ramadan, 1413, your Zakaat is due and payable. Whatever is in the savings is due for Zakaat, regardless of whether all the amount in the savings reaches a year or not. For instance: if you have $20,000.00 in the savings account on the 1st of Ramadan, 1412 and one year later by the 1st of Ramadan, 1413 there is $50, 000.00, your Zakaat will be assessed for $50,000.00, that is: $50.000.00 x .025= $1,250.00. If, on the other hand, by the 1st of Ramadan, 1413 the amount in the savings is $15,000.00, your Zakaat will be for the amount in the savings, that is $15,000.00 x .025= $375.00. This method is the best because it is easy to assess, meets one's obligation and relieve one's conscience. The Recipient Of Zakaat Knowing who qualifies as recipient of Zakaat is an important aspect of Zakaat collection in Islam. Fortunately, Allah (SWT) has been merciful to us in that He Himself spelled out the people eligible to receive Zakaat. In Surah Tawbah He stated: "Alms are for the poor and the needy; and those employed to administer (the funds); for those whose hearts have been (recently) reconciled (to truth); for those in bondage and in debt; in the cause of Allah; and for the wayfarer: (thus is it) ordained by Allah, and Allah is full of knowledge and wisdom." (Al-Qur`an, 9: 60) In this verse Allah enumerated the people who deserve this divine welfare, and they are as follows: The poor and the needy. These are individuals, and those under their care, to live on. By the poor and needy is meant the people whose income or salaries, or whatever material goods they have, fall short of the cost of living in a given environment and economy. The poor and the needy should be given what will suffice them and their families for one full year. The needy who want to get married and have no means should be given enough for this purpose, and so, too, the student who needs money for tuition, rent, food, and books. The working poor should be given supplementary Zakaat. But the wealthy, or any person with enough income to live on should not be given Zakaat, even if they asked for it. Instead, they should be warned and admonished for asking for what does not belong to them. In a hadith reported by Abdullah bin `Umar, the Messenger of Allah (saas) stated: "A man keeps on asking others for something till he comes on the day of Resurrection without any piece of flesh on his face." (Bukhari/Muslim). This hadith indicates a humiliating appearance before Allah (SWT) that awaits a person who asks illegally. Some said: this hadith implies Allah will punish a person with the very limb, the face, that he used to impress on others to give him their money unlawfully. In another hadith reported by Abu Hurairah, the Messenger of Allah said: "Whoever asks people for their money so as to get rich, he is asking for flames of fire. It is up to him to ask for more or less (he should beware)." (Muslim) This hadith indicates the severity of the punishment, the more one asks the more punishment, the less one asks the less the punishment. In another hadith, reported by Hakeem bin Hizaam said: I begged the Messenger of Allah and he gave me. I begged again, and he gave me. I begged again and he gave me. He then said: "This money is green and sweet; he who receives it from people with a cheerful heart, Allah will bless him in it; he who receives it, with an avaricious mind would not be blessed in it. He will be like the person who eats without being satisfied; and the upper hand is better than the lower hand" (Muslim) This hadith gave an analogy between money and green, ripened fruit that people love to eat. Thus, it indicates that both are greatly loved but easily finished. For money that is easy come easy go, one must be careful about the punishment that awaits the illegal eater. If a person asks for Zakaat and there are no signs of wealth, and he does not know that he should not ask, or a person who is well and able, who can work, but does not; if these people do not know that it is not permissible for them to ask, it may be given anyway. In a hadith reported by Ahmed, Abu Dawud, and Nasa'e, two men came to the Messenger of Allah (saas) and asked for Zakaat. He looked at them closely and found them strong and able, he said, "If you want I will give you. But you should know that the wealthy or an able person who can work has no share in Zakaat" (Ahmad) Those who administer the Zakaat department, assigning people for collecting, bookkeeping, making lists of people eligible for Zakaat, and a financial calendar. These people will receive Zakaat as compensation for their work, even if they are wealthy. This does not include a person who works as an agent for one or two wealthy people to take Zakaat for himself. They should donate their time for Zakaat disbursement and do it with honesty and truthfulness. If they can not, they should be paid or rewarded for their time. In a hadith related by Abu Musa Al-Ashi`ari (raa), the Messenger of Allah said: "A trustworthy Muslim executor is the one who executes completely what has been entrusted to him of Zakaat money in good faith." (Bukhari) That is, he will give the Zakaat money to any of the eligible recipients of Zakaat. He should carry on the duty voluntarily, but if he can not distribute the money without being paid, the Zakaat payer should pay him for his work. The payment for the service of distributing Zakaat should not come out of Zakaat money. The new converts to Islam whose hearts we want to harmonize into the fold of Islam, either because their faith is weak or we are afraid of their being harmed, should be given Zakaat to strengthen their Iman or until we no longer fear their harm. The bonds person who has contracted with his master to buy himself out of bondage deserve Zakaat and should be given enough to pay off their debt to the master and be freed themselves; similarly, Muslim prisoners of war if their freedom is tied to monetary payment, deserve Zakaat sufficient enough to secure their release. On the other hand, if a pearson accidently killed someone and have no means to pay off the blood money, he should be helped from Zakaat funds. The people in debt are of two kinds: (A) The guarantor, who takes the responsibility of someone else's debt so as to reconcile the two warring parties, to extinguish the fire of fitnah between them. If the person requests Zakaat money to pay off this debt he should be given it, which will encourage him to continue in this noble cause. In a hadith reported by Qubaysah Al-Hilaaly (raa), he said I was under debt (hamaalah) and I came to the Messenger (saas) and begged him to help me pay it off. The Messenger told him: "Wait until we receive charity, so we will command that it be given to you." However, the Messenger stated: "O Qubaysah, begging is not permitted except for one of three categories of people: A man who has incurred debt (as guarantor to reconcile blood wit) for him begging is permissible till he pays that off, after which he must stop it; a man whose property has been destroyed by calamity which has smitten him; for him begging is permissible till he gets what will support life or will provide him reasonable subsistence; and a man who has been smitten by poverty, the genuineness of which should be confirmed by three knowledgeable members of his people; for him begging is permissible till he gets what will support him, or will provide him subsistence. Besides these three, Qubaysah, begging is forbidden for every other persons, and one who engages in such consumes that which is forbidden." (Muslim) (B) Whoever incurs debt and has no money to pay it back will be given from Zakaat to help pay his debt, whether the amount is large or small; or his creditor should be paid directly on his behalf, so long as it is paid off. Zakaat can be given in the path of Allah. By this is meant to finance a Jihad effort in the path of Allah, not for Jihad for other reasons. The fighter (mujahid) will be given as salary what will be enough for him. If he needs to buy arms or some other supplies related to the war effort, Zakaat money should be used provided the effort is to raise the banner of Islam. The wayfarer. This is the traveller who in a strange land runs out of money. He or she deserves Zakaat, enough money to take him back to his country, even if he is wealthy and can find someone to loan him the money. On his part, he should take with him on his trip sufficient money, if he is wealthy, so that he will not need Zakaat. Zakaat money can not be used to pay off other obligations, such as giving Zakaat money to people you are obligated to take care of by law; or Zakaat money can not be used to pay for hotel and food expenses. It is, however, permissible to give Zakaat to a wife or family member, provided it is not part of their daily living expense money, but is needed to pay off a debt for one's wife if she can not pay it. So is the case for one's parents if they can not pay their debt. Zakaat money may be given to members of the family for their expenses if one is not obligated to take care of them financially. The wife can pay off a debt of her husband with Zakaat money, because he may be among the eight eligible recipients and she is not obligated to spend on him as he is on her. The eight eligible recipients of Zakaat can be denied their right to Zakaat without proof from Al-Qur`an or Sunnah. In a hadith reported by Ibn Mas`ud, his wife Zaynab heard the Messenger of Allah order women to give Zakaat, so she asked the Messenger (saas): " O Messenger of Allah, you commanded us to give Zakaat, and I have jewelry that I wanted to assess for Zakaat, but my husband Abdullah bin Mas`ud claimed that his son deserves it more than anyone." The Messenger replied: Your husband Ibn Mas`ud is right. Your son deserves your charity more than anyone." In another hadith reported by Salman bin `Aamir, he said the Messenger of Allah said: " Charity to the poor is only charity, but charity to the rest of kind is charity and maintenance of relations (sillah)." (Nisaee) No loan should be written off as Zakaat because Zakaat is taken and given. Allah (SWT) said: "Of their goods take alms...." (Al-Qur`an, 9: 103) And in a Hadith the Messenger has been reported as saying: "Allah has mandated on you Zakaat to be taken from the wealthy and to be given to the poor." Thus, writing off debt is not taken. For instance, If you loan a person money, you can not write off that loan as a Zakaat. However, it could be written off as sadaqah charity. Furthermore, loan, delinquent or not, is considered an absent money, therefore, it should not be transacted in Zakaat. for Zakaat is assessed only in cash in hand. Besides, debt money is valued less than cash in the hand, and using that money for alms is like exchanging good money for bad. The assessor of alms should try to give his Zakaat to an eligible person, but if he makes a mistake and gives it to an ineligible person it is accepted. In a hadith related by Abu Hurairah, he said the Messenger said: "A man expressed his intention to give charity, so he came with his charity and placed it in the hand of an adulteress. In the morning the people were talking and saying charity was given to an adulteress last night. The donor said: O Allah, to thee be the Praise - charity to an adulteress! He then again expressed his intention to give charity, so he went out with it and placed it in the hand of a rich person. In the morning the people were talking and saying charity was given to a rich person. The donor said, O Allah to You be the praise - charity to a rich man! He then expressed his intention to give charity, so he went out with his charity and placed it in the hand of a thief. In the morning the people were talking and saying charity to the thief. So the man said, O Allah to You be the praise (what a misfortune that charity has been given) to the adulteress, the rich and the thief! Then someone came to him and told him your charity has been accepted. As for the adulteress the charity might become the means whereby she might restrain from fornication. The rich man might perhaps learn a lesson and spend from what Allah has given him, and the thief might thereby restrain from committing theft. (Muslim/ Bukhari) http://www.islamfortoday.com/beliefs.htm more

Resolved Question: what is the status of Christ in Islam ?

Christ in Islam by Ahmed Deedat In the Name of Allah, the Merciful, the Compassionate -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Chapter One : Christian Muslim Responses -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Debate on TV At the end of the debate - "Christianity and Islam" - which appeared on the SABC-TV program "Cross Questions" on Sunday 5th June 1983, the Chairman, Mr. Bill Chalmers commented: "I think it can be said from this discussion that there is, at present, somewhat more accommodation on the Islamic side for the founder of Christianity than there is on the Christian side for the founder of Islam. What the significance of that is, we leave it to you, the viewer, to determine, but I do think you will agree that it is a good thing that we are talking together." "Bill" as he is popularly addressed, without any formalities, on all his programs, by all his panelists, is extremely charming and stupendous in his humility. He is a picture of what the Holy Quran portrays of a good Christian: "...And nearest among them in love to the believers wilt thou find those who say: 'We are Christians': because among these are men devoted to learning and men who have renounced the world. And they are not arrogant." (The Holy Quran 5:82) Jesus - His Status Were the Muslims on the panel trying to placate the viewers out policy, deceit or diplomacy? Nothing of the kind! They were only articulating what God Almighty had commanded them to say in the Holy Quran. As Muslims, they had no choice. They had said in so many words: "We Muslims believe, that Jesus was one of the mightiest messengers of God that he was the Christ, that he was born miraculously without any male intervention (which many modern-day Christians do not believe today), that he gave life to the dead by God's permission and that he healed those born blind and the lepers by god's permission. In fact, no Muslim is a Muslim if he or she does not believe in Jesus!" Pleasant Surprise Over 90% of the people who witnessed this debate must have been pleasantly, but skeptically, surprised. They might have not believed their ears. They must have surmised that the Muslims were playing to the gallery - that they were trying to curry favor with their fellow Christian countrymen; that if the Muslims would say a few good words about Jesus, then in reciprocation the Christians might say a few good words about Muhammed (may the peace and the blessings of God be upon all His righteous servants, Moses, Jesus, Muhammed...etc.); that I scratch your back and you scratch my back - which would be a sham or hypocrisy. Hate Cultivated We cannot blame the Christians for their skepticism. They have been so learned for centuries. They were trained to think the worst of the man Muhammed, salla Allah u alihi wa sallam, and his religion. How aptly did Thomas Carlyle say about his Christian brethren over a hundred and fifty years ago: "The lies which well-meaning zeal has heaped round this man (Muhammed) are disgraceful to ourselves only." We Muslims are partly responsible for this. We have not done anything substantial to remove the cobwebs. Ocean of Christianity South Africa is an ocean of Christianity. If Libya boasts the highest percentage of Muslims on the continent of Africa, then the Republic of South Africa would also be entitled to boast the highest percentage of Christians. In this ocean of Christianity the R.S.A. - the Muslims are barely 2% of the total population. We are a voteless minority - numerically, we count for nothing; politically, we count for nothing; and economically, one white man, as Oppenheimer, could buy out the whole lot of us, lock, stock and barrel. So if we had feigned to appease, we might be excused. But no! We must proclaim our Master's Will; we must declare the Truth, whether we liked it or not. In the words of Jesus: "Seek ye the truth, and the truth shall set you free" (John 8:32). -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Chapter Two : Jesus in the Quran -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Christians Unaware The Christian does not know that the true spirit of charity which the Muslim displays, always, towards Jesus and his mother Mary spring from the fountainhead of his faith - the Holy Quran. He does not know that the Muslim does not take the holy name of Jesus, in his own language, without saying Eesa, alaihi assalam ("Jesus, peace be upon him") The Christian does not know that in the Holy Quran Jesus is mentioned twenty five times. For example: "We gave Jesus, the son of Mary, clear signs and strengthened him with the Holy Spirit" (The Holy Quran 2:87) "O Mary! God giveth thee glad tidings of a Word from Him: his name will be Christ Jesus, the son of Mary..." (3:45) "...Christ Jesus the son of Mary was (no more than) an apostle of god..." (4:171) "...And in their foot steps we sent Jesus the son of Mary..." (5:46) "And Zakariya and John, and Jesus and Elias: all in the ranks of the righteous." (6:85) Jesus - His Titles Though Jesus is mentioned by name in twenty-five places in the Holy Quran, he is also addressed with respect as: Ibn Maryam, meaning "The son of Mary"; and as the Maseeh (in Hebrew it is the Messiah), which is translated as "Christ". He is also known as Abdullah, "The servant of Allah"; and as Rasul u Allah, the messenger of Allah. He is spoken of as "The Word of God", as "The Spirit of God", as a "Sign of God", and numerous other epithets of honor spread over fifteen different chapters. The Holy Quran honors this mighty messenger of God, and the Muslims have not fallen short over the past fourteen hundred years in doing the same. There is not a single disparaging remark in the entire Quran to which even the most jaundiced among the Christians can take exception. Eesa Latinised to "Jesus" The Holy Quran refers to Jesus as Eesa, and this name is used more times than any other title, because this was his "Christian" name. Actually, his proper name was Eesa (Arabic), or Esau (Hebrew); classical Yeheshua, which the Christian nations of the West latinised as Jesus. Neither the "J" nor the second "s" in the name Jesus is to be found in the original tongue - they are not found in the Semitic languages. The word is very simply "E S A U" a very common Jewish name, used more than sixty times in the very first booklet alone of the Bible, in the part called "Genesis". There was at least one "Jesus" sitting on the "bench" at the trial of Jesus before the Sanhedrin. Josephus the Jewish historian mentions some twenty five Jesus' in his "Book of Antiquities". The New Testament speaks of "Bar-Jesus" a magician and a sorcerer, a false prophet (Acts 13:6); and also "Jesus-Justus" a Christian missionary, a contemporary of Paul (Colossians 4:11). These are distinct from Jesus the son of Mary. Transforming "Esau" to (J)esu(s) - Jesus - makes it unique. This unique (?) name has gone out of currency among the Jews and the Christians from the 2nd century after Christ. Among the Jews, because it came to be a name of ill - repute, the name of one who blasphemed in Jewry; and among the Christians because it came to be the proper name of their God. The Muslim will not hesitate to name his son Eesa because it is an honored name, the name of a righteous servant of the Lord. -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Chapter Three : Mother And Son -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Mary Honored The birth of Jesus Christ is described in two places of the Quran - chapter 3 and chapter 19. Reading from the beginning of his birth, we come across the story of Mary, and the esteemed position which she occupies in the House of Islam, before the actual annunciation of the birth of Jesus is given: "'Behold'! the angels said: 'O Mary! God hath chosen thee and purified thee, and chosen thee above the women of all nations" (3:42) "Chosen thee above the women of all nations." Such an honor is not to be found given to Mary even in the Christian Bible! The verse continues: "O Mary! Worship thy Lord devoutly: prostrate thyself, and bow down (in prayer) with those who bow down." (3:43) Divine Revelation What is the source of this beautiful and sublime recitation which, in its original Arabic, moves men to ecstasy and tears? verse 44 below explains: "This is part of the tidings, of the things unseen, which We reveal unto thee (O Muhammad!) by inspiration: Thou wast not with them when they cast lots with arrows, as to which of them should be charged with the care of Mary: nor wast thou with them when they disputed (the point)." (3:44) Mary's Birth The story is that the maternal grandmother of Jesus, Hannah, had hitherto been barren. She poured out her heart to God: If only God will grant her a child, she would surely dedicate such a child for the service of God in the temple. God granted her prayer and Mary was born. Hannah was disappointed. She was yearning for a son, but instead she delivered a daughter; and in no way is the female like the male, for what she had in mind. What was she to do? She had made a vow to God. She waited for Mary to be big enough to fend for herself. When the time came, Hannah took her darling daughter to the temple, to hand over for temple services. Every priest wanted to be the god-father of this child. They cast lots with arrows for her - like the tossing of the coin - head or tail? eventually she fell to the lot of Zakariya, but not without a dispute. The Source of His Message This was the story. But where did Muhammed, salla Allah u alihi wa sallam, get this knowledge from? He was an Ummi, Arabic for "unlettered". He did not low how to read or write. He is made by God Almighty to answer this very question in the verse above, by saying that it was all by divine inspiration. "No!", says the controversialist. "This is Muhammed's own concoction. He copied his revelations from the Jews and Christians. He plagiarized it. He forged it." Knowing full-well, and believing as we do, that the whole Quran is the veritable Word of God, we will nevertheless agree, for the sake of argument, with the enemies of Muhammed, salla Allah u alihi wa sallam, for a moment, that he wrote it. We can now expect some cooperation from the unbelievers. Ask him: "Have you any qualms in agreeing that Muhammed was an Arab?" Only an ignorant will hesitate to agree. In that case there is no sense in pursuing any discussion. Cut short the talk. Close the book! With the man of reason, we proceed. "That this Arab, in the first instance, was addressing other Arabs. He was not talking to Indian Muslims, Chinese Muslims, or Nigerian Muslims. He was addressing his own people, the Arabs. Whether they agreed with him or not, he told them in the most sublime form, words that were seared into the hearts and minds of his listeners that Mary the mother of Jesus, a Jewess, was chosen above the women of all nations. Not his own mother, nor his wife nor his daughter, nor any other Arab woman, but a Jewess! Can one explain this? Because to everyone his own mother or wife, or daughters would come before other women. Why would the prophet of Islam honor a woman from his opposition! and a Jewess at that! belonging to a race which had been looking down upon his people for three thousand years? Just as they still look down upon their Arab brethren today." Sarah and Hagar The Jews learn, from the Bible, that their father, Abraham, had two wives Sarah and Hagar. They say that they are the children of Abraham through Sarah his legitimate wife; that their Arab brethren have descended through Hagar, a "bondwoman", and that as such, the Arabs are an inferior breed. Will anyone please explain the anomaly as to why Muhammed, salla Allah u alihi wa sallam, if he is the author, chose this Jewess for such high honor? The answer is simple, he had no choice he had no right to speak of his own desire. "It is no less than an inspiration sent down to him." (53:4) The Chapter of Maryam There is a Chapter in the Holy Quran, named Surat u Maryam "Chapter Mary", named in honor of Mary the mother of Jesus Christ, peace and blessings of Allah be upon him; again, such an honor is not to be found given to Mary in the Christian Bible. Out of the 66 books of the Protestants and 73 of the Roman Catholics, not one is named after Mary or her son. You will find books named after Matthew, Mark, Luke, John, Peter, Paul and two score more obscure names, but not a single one is that of Mary! If Muhammed, salla Allah u alihi wa sallam, was the author of the Holy Quran, then he would not have failed to include in it with Mary, the mother of Jesus, his own mother Aamina, his dear wife Khadija, or his beloved daughter Fatima. But No! No! This can never be. The Quran is not his handiwork!. -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Chapter Four : The Good News -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- " 'Behold!' the angels said: 'O Mary! Allah giveth thee glad tidings of a word from him: his name will be Jesus, the son of Mary; held in honor in this world and the hereafter; and (of the company of) those nearest to Allah." (3:45) "Nearest to God," not physically nor geographically, but spiritually. Compare this with "And (Jesus) sat on the right hand of God." (Mark 16:19). The bulk of Christendom has misunderstood this verse as well as many others in the Bible. They imagine the Father (God) sitting on a throne, a glorified chair, and His Son, Jesus, sitting on His right hand side. Can you conjure up the picture? If you do, you have strayed from the true knowledge of God. He is no old Father Christmas. He is beyond the imagination of the mind of man. He exists. He is real, but He is not like anything we can think of, or imagine. In eastern languages "right hand" meant a place of honor, which the Holy Quran more fittingly describes as "In the company of those nearest to Allah." The above verse confirms that Jesus is the Christ. and that he is the Word which God bestowed upon Mary. Again, the Christian reads into these words, a meaning which they do not carry. They equate the word "Christ" with the idea of a god-incarnate; and the "Word" of God to be God. "Christ" Not a Name The word "Christ" is derived from the Hebrew word Messiah, Arabic Maseeh. Root word masaha, meaning "to rub", "to massage", "to anoint". Priests and kings were anointed when being consecrated to their offices. But in its translated Grecian form, "Christ" seems unique: befitting Jesus only. Christians like to translate names into their own language; like Cephas to "Peter" , Messiah to "Christ". How do they do that? Very easily. Messiah in Hebrew means "Anointed". The Greek word for anointed is Christos. Just lop off the 'os' from Christos, and you are left with "Christ"; a unique name! Christos means "Anointed", and anointed means appointed in its religious connotation. Jesus, peace and blessing be upon him, was appointed (anointed) at his baptism by John the Baptist, as God's Messenger. Every prophet of God is so anointed or appointed. The Holy Bible is replete with the "anointed" ones. In the original Hebrew, he was made a Messiah. Let us keep to the English translation "anointed." Not only were prophets and priests and kings anointed (Christos-ed), but horns, and cherubs and lamp-posts also. "I am the God of Bethel, where you anointed a pillar ..." (Genesis 31:13) "If the priest that is anointed do sin ..." (Leviticus 4:3) "And Moses... anointed the tabernacle and all things that was therein..." (Leviticus 8:100) "..the Lord shall...exalt the horn of his anointed" (I Samuel 2:10) "Thus saith the Lord to his anointed to Cyrus..." (Isaiah 45:1) "Thou art the anointed cherub..." (Ezekiel 28:14) There are an hundred more such references in the Holy Bible. Every time you come across the word "anointed" in your Bible, you can take it that that word would be christos in the Greek translations, and if you take the same liberty with the word that the Christians have done, you will have Christ Cherub, Christ Cyrus, Christ Priest and Christ Pillar, ...etc. Some Titles Exclusive Although, every prophet of God is an anointed one of God, a Messiah, the title Maseeh or Messiah, or its translation "Christ" is exclusively reserved for Jesus, the son of Mary, in both Islam and in Christianity. This is not unusual in religion. There are certain other honorific titles which may be applied to more than one prophet, yet being made exclusive to one by usage: like "Rasulullah", meaning "Messenger of God", which title is applied to both Moses (19:51) and Jesus (61:6) in the Holy Quran. Yet "Rasullullah" has become synonymous only with Muhammad, the prophet of Islam, among Muslims. Every prophet is indeed a "Friend of God", but its Arabic equivalent "Khalillullah" is exclusively associated with Father Abraham. This does not mean that the others are not God's friends. "Kaleemullah", meaning "One who spoke with Allah" is never used for anyone other than Moses, yet we believe that God spoke with many of His messengers, including Jesus and Muhammed, may the peace and blessings of God be upon all His servants. Associating certain titles with certain personages only, does not make them exclusive or unique in any way. We honor all in varying terms. Whilst the good news was being announced (verse 45 above) Mary was told that her unborn child will be called Jesus, that he would be the Christ, a "Word" from God, and that... "He shall speak to the people in childhood and in maturity. And he shall be (of the company) of the righteous." (3:46) "At length she brought the (babe) to her people carrying him. They said: 'O Mary! truly a strange thing has thou brought!'. 'O sister of Aaron!, thy father was not a man of evil, nor thy mother a woman unchaste!' " (The Holy Quran 19:27-28) Jews Amazed There is no Joseph the carpenter here. The circumstances being peculiar, Mary the mother of Jesus had retired herself to some remote place in the East (19:16). After the birth of the child she returns. A. Yusuf Ali, comments in his popular English translation of the Quran: "The amazement of the people knew no bounds. In any case they were prepared to think the worst of her, as she had disappeared from her kin for some time. But now she comes, shamelessly parading a babe in her arms! How she had disgraced house of Aaron, the fountain of priesthood! "Sister of Aaron": Mary is reminded of her high lineage and the unexceptionable morals of her father and mother. How, they said, she had fallen, and disgraced the name of her progenitors! What could Mary do? How could she explain? Would they, in their censorious mood accept her explanation? All she could do was to point to the child, who, she knew, was no ordinary child. And the child came to her rescue. By a miracle he spoke, defended his mother, and preached to an unbelieving audience." Allah azza wa jall says in the Quran: "But she pointed to the babe. They said: 'How can we talk one who is a child in the cradle?' He (Jesus) said: 'I am indeed a servant of Allah (God) : He hath given me revelation and made me a prophet: 'and He hath made me blessed wheresoever I be, and hath enjoined on me prayer and charity as long as I live. '(He hath made me) kind to my mother, and not overbearing or unblest; 'So Peace is on me the day I was born, the day that I die, and the day that I shall be raised up to life again)'!" (19:29-33) His First Miracle(s) Thus Jesus, peace and blessings be upon him, defended his mother from the grave calumny and innuendoes of her enemies. This is the very first miracle attributed to Jesus in the Holy Quran that, he spoke as an infant from his mother's arms. Contrast this with his first miracle in the Christian Bible which occurred when he was over thirty years of age: "And the third day there was a marriage in Cana of Galilee; and the mother of Jesus was there: And both Jesus was called, and his disciples, to the marriage. And when they wanted wine, the mother of Jesus saith unto him, they have no wine. Jesus saith unto her, 'Woman, what have I to do with thee? mine hour is not yet come.' His mother saith unto the servants, Whatsoever he saith unto you, do it. And there were set there six water pots of stone, after the manner of the purifying of the Jews, containing two or three firkins apiece. Jesus saith unto them, Fill the water pots with water. And they filled them up to the brim. And he saith unto them, Draw out now, and bear unto the governor of the feast. And they bare it. When the ruler of the feast had tasted the water that was made wine, and knew not whence it was: (but the servants which drew the water knew;) the governor of the feast called the bridegroom, And saith unto him, Every man at the beginning doth set forth good wine; and when men have well drunk, then that which is worse: but thou hast kept the good wine until now." (John 2:110) Since this miracle, wine has flowed like water in Christendom. Many reason that what was good for the Master is good enough for them. Jesus was no "kill-joy" they say. Didn't he make good potent wine, that even those "well drunk", those whose senses had been dulled could make out the difference ? "That the best was kept for the last.". This was no pure grape juice. It was the same wine that, according to the Christian Bible, enabled the daughters of Lot to seduce their father (Genesis 19:32-33).It was the same wine which the Christian is advised to eschew in Ephesians 5:18 - "And be not drunk with wine..." It is that innocent (?) 1% potency that eventually leads millions down into the gutter. America has 10 million drunkards in the midst of 70 million "born-again" Christians! The Americans call their drunkards "Problem Drinkers". In South Africa, they are called "Alcoholics"; drunkard is too strong a word for people to stomach. But the Prime Minister of Zambia, Dr. Kenneth Kaunda, does not hesitate to call a spade a spade. He says, "I am not prepared to lead nation of drunkards", referring to his own people who drink intoxicants. Whether the water "blushed" or not "seeing" Jesus, we cannot blame him or his disciples for the drinking habits of his contemporaries. For he had truly opined, "have yet many things to say unto you, but ye cannot bear them now" (John 16:12). Mankind had not reached the stage of receiving the whole Truth of Islam. Did he not also say "You cannot put new wine into old bottles"? (Matthew 9:17). "Mother" or "Woman"? According to St. John, in the fourth verse above, describing the marriage feast at Cana, we are told that Jesus, peace and blessings be upon him, behaved insolently towards his mother. He calls her "woman," and to rub more salt into the wound he is made to say "what have I to do with thee?" What connection is there between you and me, or what have I got to do with you? Could he have forgotten that this very "woman" had carried him for nine months, and perhaps suckled him for 2 years, and had borne endless insults and injuries on account of him? Is she not his mother? Is there no word in his language for "mother"? Strange as it may seem, that while the missionaries boast about their master's humility, meekness and long-suffering, they call him the "Prince of Peace" and they sing that "he was led to the slaughter like a lamb, and like a sheep who before his shearer is dumb, he opened not his mouth", yet they proudly record in the same breath, that he was ever ready with invectives for the elders of his race, and was always itching for a showdown i.e. if their records are true: "Ye hypocrites!" "Ye wicked and adulterous generation!" "Ye whited sephulcres!" "Ye generation of vipers!" and now to his mother: "Woman..." Jesus Defended Muhammed, salla Allah u alihi wa sallam, the Messenger of God, is made to absolve Jesus from the false charges and calumnies of his enemies. "And He (God Almighty) hath made me (Jesus) kind to my mother, and not overbearing or unblest" (19:31). On receiving the good news of the birth of a righteous son Mary responds: "She said: 'O My Lord! how shall I have a son, when no man hath touched me?" The angel says in reply: "He said: 'Even so: Allah (God) createth what He willeth: when He hath decreed a matter He but sayth o it 'Be,' and it is! And Allah (God) will teach him the Book and Wisdom, the Torah (Law) and the Gospel," (3:47-48). -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Chapter Five : Quranic and Biblical Versions -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Meeting the Reverend I was visiting the "Bible House" in Johannesburg. Whilst browsing through the stacks of Bibles and religious books, I picked up an Indonesian Bible and had just taken in hand a Greek - English New Testament, a large, expensive volume. I had not realized that I was being observed by the supervisor of the Bible House. Casually, he walked up to me. Perhaps my beard and my Muslim headgear were an attraction and a challenge? He inquired about my interest in that costly volume. I explained that as a student of comparative religion, I had need for such a book. He invited me to have tea with him in his office. It was very kind of him and I accepted. Over the cup of tea, I explained to him the Muslim belief in Jesus, peace and blessings of Allah be upon him. I explained to him the high position that Jesus occupied in the House of Islam. He seemed skeptical about what I said. I was amazed at his seeming ignorance, because only retired Reverend gentlemen can become Supervisors of Bible Houses in South Africa. I began reciting from verse 42 of chapters 3 of the Holy Quran: "'Behold!' The angels said: 'O Mary, Allah hath chosen thee...'" I wanted the Reverend to listen, not only to the meaning of the Quran, but also to the music of its cadences when the original Arabic was recited. Rev. Dunkers (for that was his name) sat back and listened with rapt attention to "Allah's Words". When I reached the end of verse 49, the Reverend commented that the Quranic message was like that of his own Bible. He said, he saw no difference between what he behaved as a Christian, and what I had read to him. I said: "that was true". If he had come across these verses in the English language alone without their Arabic equivalent, side by side, he would not have been able to guess in a hundred years that he was reading the Holy Quran. If he were a Protestant, he would have thought that he was reading the Roman Catholic Version, if he had not seen one, or the Jehovah's Witness Version or the Greek Orthodox Version, or the hundred and one other versions that he might not have seen; but he would never have guessed that he was reading the Quranic version. The Christian would be reading here, in the Quran, everything he wanted to hear about Jesus, but in a most noble, elevated and sublime language. He could not help being moved by it. In these eight terse verses from 42 to 49 we are told: (a) That Mary, the mother of Jesus, was a virtuous woman, and honored above the women of all nations. (b) That all that was being said was God's own Revelation to mankind. (c) That Jesus was the "Word" of God. (d) That he was the Christ that the Jews were waiting for. (e) That God will empower this Jesus to perform miracles even in infancy. (f) That Jesus was born miraculously, without any male intervention. (g) That God will vouchsafe him Revelation. (h) That he will give life to the dead by God's permission, and that he will heal those born blind and the lepers by God's permission, ... etc. "Chalk and Cheese" The most fervent Christian cannot take exception to a single statement or word here. But the difference between the Biblical and the Quranic narratives is that between "chalk and cheese". "To me they are identical, what is the difference?" the Reverend asked. I know that in their essentials both the stories agree in their details, but when we scrutinize them closely we will discover that the difference between them is staggering. Now compare the miraculous conception as announced in verse 47 of the Holy Quran with what the Holy Bible says: "Now the birth of Jesus Christ was in this wise: When as his mother Mary was espoused to Joseph, before they came together, (as husband and wife) she was found with child of the holy ghost."(Matthew 1:18) Master Dramatizer The eminent Billy Graham from the United States of America dramatized this verse in front of 40,000 people in King Park, Durban, with his index finger sticking out and swinging his outstretched arm from right to left, he said: "And the Holy Ghost came and impregnated Mary!" On the other hand St. Luke tells us the very same thing but less crudely. He says, that when the annunciation was made, Mary was perturbed. Her natural reaction was : "How shall this be, seeing I know not a man?" (Luke 1:34) meaning sexually. The Quranic narrative is: "She said: O my Lord! how shall I have a son when no man hath touched me?" (3:47) meaning sexually. In essence there is no difference between these two statements "seeing I know not a man" and "when no man hath touched me". Both the quotations have an identical meaning. It is simply a choice of different words meaning the same thing. But the respective replies to Mary's plea in the two Books (the Quran and the Bible) are revealing. The Biblical Version Says the Bible: "And the angle answered and said into her : 'The Holy Ghost shall come upon thee, and the power of the Highest shall overshadow thee" (Luke 1:35) Can't you see that you are giving the atheist, the skeptic, the agnostic a stick to beat you with? They may well ask "How did the Holy Ghost come upon Mary?" "How did the Highest overshadow her?" We know that literally it does not mean that: that it was an immaculate conception, but the language used here, is distasteful. Now contrast this with the language of the Quran: The Quranic Version "He said (the angel says in reply): 'Even so: Allah (God) createth what He willeth: when He hath decreed a plan, He but saith to it, 'Be,' and it is!' " (3:47) This is the Muslim concept of the birth of Jesus. For God to create a Jesus, without a human father, He merely has to will it. If He wants to create a million Jesus' without fathers or mothers, He merely wills them into existence. He does not have to take seeds and transfer them, like men or animals by contact or artificial insemination . He wills everything into being by His word of command "Be" and "It is". There is nothing new in what I am telling you, I reminded the Reverend. It is in the very first Book of your Holy Bible, Genesis 1:3 "And God said..." What did He say? He said "Be" and "It was". He did not have to articulate the words. This is our way of understanding the word "Be", that He willed everything into being. Choice for His Daughter "Between these two versions of the birth of Jesus, the Quranic version and the Biblical version, which would you prefer to give your daughter ?" I asked the supervisor of the Bible House. He bowed his head down in humility and admitted "The Quranic Version." How can "a forgery" or "an imitation", as it is alleged of the Quran, be better than the genuine, the original, as it is claimed for the Bible? It can never be, unless this Revelation to Muhammed is what it, itself, claims to be viz. The pure and holy Word of God! There are a hundred different tests that the unprejudiced seeker after truth can apply to the Holy Quran and it will qualify with flying colors to being a Message from on High. Like Adam Does the miraculous birth of Jesus make him a God or a "begotten" son of God? No! says the Holy Quran: "The similitude of Jesus before Allah (God) is that of Adam; He created him from dust then said to him: 'Be', and he was." (3:59) Yusuf Ali, comments in his notes in the Quran translation: "After a description of the high position which Jesus occupies as a prophet in the preceding verses we have a repudiation of the dogma that he was God, or the son of God, or any thing more than man. If it is said that he was born without a human father, Adam was also so born. Indeed Adam was born without either a human father or mother. As far as our physical bodies are concerned they are mere dust. In God's sight Jesus was as dust just as Adam was or humanity is. The greatness of Jesus arose from the divine command 'Be': for after that he was more than dust a great spiritual leader and teacher" The logic of it is that, if being born without a male parent entitles Jesus to being equated with God, then, Adam would have a greater right to such honor, and this no Christian would readily concede. Thus, the Muslim is made to repudiate the Christian blasphemy. Further, if the Christian splits hairs by arguing that Adam was "created" from the dust of the ground, whereas Jesus was immaculately "begotten" in the womb of Mary, then let us remind him that, even according to his own false standards, there is yet another person greater than Jesus, in his own Bible . Who is this superman? Paul's Innovation "For this Melchisedec, king of Salem, priest of the most high God... Without father, without mother, without descent, having neither beginning of days, nor end of life..." (Hebrews 7:1,3) Here is a candidate for Divinity itself, for only God Almighty could possess these qualities. Adam had a beginning (in the garden), Jesus had a beginning (in the stable); Adam had an end and, claim the Christians, so had Jesus "and he gave up the ghost". But where is Melchisedec? Perhaps he is hibernating somewhere like Rip Van Winkel (a fairy tale character who slept for many ages.) And what is this "Hebrews"? It is the name of one of the Books of the Holy Bible, authored by the gallant St. Paul, the self appointed thirteenth apostle of Christ. Jesus had twelve apostles, but one of them (Judas) had the Devil in him. So the vacancy had to be filled, because of the "twelve" thrones in heaven which had to be occupied by his disciples to judge the children of Israel (Luke 22:30). Saul was a renegade Jew, and the Christians changed his name to "Paul", probably because "Saul" sounds Jewish. This St. Paul made such a fine mess of the teachings of Jesus, peace blessings be upon him, that he earned for himself the second most coveted position of "The Most Influential Men of History" in the monumental work of Michael H. Hart: The 100 or The Top Hundred or the Greatest Hundred in History. Paul outclasses even Jesus because, according to Michael Hart, Paul was the real founder of present day Christianity. The honor of creating Christianity had to be shared between Paul and Jesus, and Paul won because he wrote more Books of the Bible than any other single author, whereas Jesus did not write a single word. Paul needed no inspiration to write his hyperboles here and in the rest of his Epistles. Did not Hitler's Minister of Propaganda Goebbels say: "The bigger the lie the more likely it is to be believed'? But the amazing thing about this exaggeration is that no Christian seems to have read it. Every learned man to whom I have shown this verse to, seemed to be seeing it for the first time. They appear dumbfounded, as described by the fitting words of Jesus: "...seeing they see not, and hearing they hear not, neither do they understand." (Matthew 13:13) The Holy Quran also contains a verse which fittingly describes this well cultivated sickness: "Deaf, dumb and blind, will they not return (to the path)." (2:18) The Sons of God The Muslim takes strong exception to the Christian dogma that "Jesus is the only begotten son, begotten not made". This is what the Christian is made to repeat from childhood in his catechism. I have asked learned Christians, again and again as to what they are really trying to emphasize, when they say: "Begotten not made". They know that according to their own God given (?) records, God has sons by the tons: "...Adam, which was the son of God."(Luke 3:38) "That the sons of God saw the daughters of men that they were fair... And when the sons of God came in unto the daughters of men, and they bare children to them..." (Genesis 6: 2,4) "...Israel is My son, even My firstborn:" (Exodus 4:22) "...for I (God) am a Father to Israel, and Ephraim is My firstborn." (Jeremiah 31:9) "...the Lord hath said unto me (David): 'Thou art My son: this day have I begotten thee." (Psalms 2:7) "For as many as are led by the Spirit of God, they are the sons of God." (Romans 18:14) Can't you see that in the language of the Jew, every righteous person, every Tom, Dick and Harry who followed the Will and Plan of God, was a "Son of God". It was a metaphorical descriptive term commonly used among the Jews. The Christian agrees with this reasoning, but goes on to say: "but Jesus was not like that". Adam was made by God. Every living thing was made by God, He is the Lord, Cherisher and Sustainer of all. Metaphorically speaking therefore God is the Father of all. But Jesus was the "begotten" son of God, not a created son of God ? Begotten Means "Sired"! In my forty years of practical experience in talking to learned Christians, not a single one has opened his mouth to hazard an explanation of the phrase "begotten not made". It had to be an American who dared to explain. He said : "It means, sired by God." "What!?" I exploded : "Sired by God?" "No, no!" he said, "I am only trying to explain the meaning, I do not believe that God really sired a son." The sensible Christian says that the words do not literally mean what they say. Then why do you say it? Why are you creating unnecessary conflict between the 1,200,000,000 Christians and a thousand million Muslims of the world in making senseless statements? Reason for Objection The Muslim takes exception to the word "begotten", because begetting is an animal act, belonging to the lower animal functions of sex. How can we attribute such a lowly capacity to God? Metaphorically we are all the children of God, the good and the bad, and Jesus would be closer to being the son of God than any one of us, because he would be more faithful to God then any one of us can ever be. From that point of view he is preeminently the son of God. Although this pernicious word "begotten" has now unceremoniously been thrown out of the "Most Accurate" version of the Bible, the Revised Standard Version (R.S.V.), its ghost still lingers on in the Christian mind, both black and white. Through its insidious brainwashing the white man is made to feel superior to his black Christian brother of the same Church and Denomination. And in turn, the black man is given a permanent inferiority complex through this dogma. Brain-washed Inferiority The human mind can't help reasoning that since the "begotten son" of an African will look like an African, and that of a Chinaman as a Chinese, and that of an Indian like an Indian: so the begotten son of God aught naturally to look like God. Billions of beautiful pictures and replicas of this "only begotten son of God" are put in peoples hands. He looks like a European with blonde hair, blue eyes and handsome features like e one I saw in the "King of Kings" or "The Day of Triumph" or "Jesus of Nazareth". Remember Jeffrey Hunter? The "Savior" of the Christian is more like a German than a Jew with his polly nose. So naturally, if the son is a white man, the father would also be a white man (God?). Hence the darker skinned races of the earth subconsciously have the feeling of inferiory ingrained in their souls as God's "step children". No amount of face creams, skin lighteners and hair straighteners will erase the inferiority. God is neither black nor white. He is beyond the imagination of the mind of man. Break the mental shackles of a Caucasian (white) man-god, and you have broken the shackles of a permanent inferiority. But intellectual bondages are harder to shatter: the slave himself fights to retain them. -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Chapter Six : Answer to Christian Dilemmas -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- "Christ in Islam" is really Christ in the Quran: and the Holy Quran has something definite to say about every aberration of Christianity. The Quran absolves Jesus, peace and blessings be upon him, from all the false charges of his enemies as well as the misplaced infatuation of his followers. His enemies allege that he blasphemed against God by claiming Divinity. His misguided followers claim that he did avow Divinity, but that was not blasphemy because he was God. What does the Quran say ? Addressing both the Jews and the Christians, Allah says: "O People of the Book! commit no excesses in your religion: nor say of Allah (God) aught but the truth. Christ Jesus son of Mary was (no more than) a messenger of Allah (God), and His Word, which he bestowed on Mary, and a Spirit proceeding from Him: so believe in Allah (God) and His messengers..." (4:171) Going to Extremes "O People of the Book" is a very respectful title with which the Jews and the Christians are addressed in the Holy Quran. In other words, Allah is saying "O Learned People!", "O People with a Scripture!" According to their own boast, the Jews and the Christians prided themselves over the Arabs, who had no Scripture before the Quran. As a learned people, Allah pulls up both the contending religionists for going to either extremes as regards the personality of Christ. The Jews made certain insinuations about the legitimacy of Jesus and charged him of blasphemy by twisting his words. The Christians read other meanings into his words; wrench words out of their context to make him God. The modern day Christian, the hot - gospeller, the Bible thumper, uses harsher words and cruder approaches to win over a convert to his blasphemies. He says: (a) "Either Jesus is God or a liar" (b) "Either Jesus is God or a lunatic" (c) "Either Jesus is God or an impostor" These are his words, words culled from Christian literature. Since no man of charity, Muslim or otherwise, can condemn Christ so harshly as the Christian challenges him to do, perforce he must keep non-committal. He thinks he must make a choice between one or the other of these silly extremes. It does not occur to him that there is an alternative to this Christian conundrum. Sensible Alternative Is it not possible that Jesus is simply what he claimed to be, a prophet, like so many other prophets that passed away before him? Even that he is one of the greatest of them, a mighty miracle worker, a great spiritual teacher and guide - the Messiah!. Why only God or Lunatic? Is "lunacy" the opposite of "Divinity" in Christianity? What is the antonym of God? Will some clever Christian answer? The Quran lays bare the true position of Christ in a single verse, followed by a note by Yusuf Ali's: "That he was the son of a woman, Mary, and therefore a man;" "But a messenger, a man with a mission from Allah (God), and therefore entitled to honor." "A Word bestowed on Mary, for he was created by Allah's word 'Be', and he was;"(3:59). A spirit proceeding from Allah (God), but not Allah: his life and mission were more limited than in the case of some other messengers, though we must pay equal honor to him as a prophet of Allah. The doctrines of Trinity, equality with God, and sons, are repudiated as blasphemies. Allah (God) is independent of all needs and has no need of a son to manage His affairs. The Gospel of John (whoever wrote it) has put a great deal of Alexandrian Gnostic mysticism round the doctrine of the Word (Greek, Logos), but it is simply explained here." Jesus Questioned Reproduced below are verses 119 to 121 from the Chapter of Maeda (chapter 5 of the Quran) depicting the scene of Judgment Day, when Allah will question Jesus, peace and blessings be upon him, regarding the misdirected zeal of his supposed followers in worshipping him and his mother: and his response, "And behold! Allah will say: 'O Jesus the son of Mary! Didst thou say unto men, take me and my mother for two gods beside Allah?' He will say: 'Glory to Thee! never could I say what I had no right (to say). Had I said such a thing, Thou wouldst indeed have known it. Thou knowest what is in my heart, Thou I know not what is in Thine. For Thou knowest in full all that is hidden. 'Never said I to them aught except what Thou didst command me to say, to wit, 'Worship Allah, my Lord and your Lord'; and I was a witness over them whilst I dwelt amongst them; when Thou didst take me up Thou wast the Watcher over them, and Thou art a witness to all things. 'If Thou dost punish them, they are Thy servant: If Thou dost forgive them, Thou art the Exalted in power, the Wise.'" (5:116-118) Claimed No Divinity If this is the statement of truth from the All-Knowing, that "Never said I to them aught except what Thou didst command me to say, to wit, 'Worship Allah, my Lord and your Lord'", then how do the Christians justify worshipping Jesus? There is not a single unequivocal statement throughout the Bible, in all its 66 volumes of the Protestant versions, or in the 73 volumes of the Roman Catholic versions, where Jesus claims to be God or where he says "worship me". Nowhere does he say that he and God Almighty "are one" and "the same person." The last phrase above "one and the same person" tickles many a "hot-gospeller" and "Bible-thumper," not excluding the Doctor of Divinity and the Professor of Theology. Even the new converts to Christianity have memorized these verses. They are programmed to rattle off verses out of context, upon which they can hang their faith. The words "are one" activates the mind by association of memories. "Yes", say the Trinitarians, the worshippers of three gods in one God, and one God in three gods, "Jesus did claim to be God!" Where? Reverend at the Table I had taken Rev. Morris D.D. and his wife, to lunch at the "Golden Peacock." While at the table, during the course of our mutual sharing of knowledge, the opportunity arose to ask, "Where?" And without a murmur he quoted, "I and my father are one" to imply that God and Jesus were one and the same person. That Jesus here claims to be God. The verse quoted was well known to me, but it was being quoted out of context. It did not carry the meaning that the Doctor was imagining, so I asked him, "What is the context?" Choked on "Context" The Reverend stopped eating and began staring at me. I said, "Why? Don't you know the context?", "You see, what you have quoted is the text, I want to know the context, the text that goes with it, before or after." Here was an Englishman (Canadian), a paid servant of the Presbyterian Church, a Doctor of Divinity, and it appeared that I was trying to teach him English. Of course he knew what "context" meant. But like the rest of his compatriots, he had not studied the sense in which Jesus had uttered the words. In my forty years of experience, this text had been thrown at me hundreds of times, but not a single learned Christian had ever attempted to hazard a guess as to its real meaning. They always start fumbling for their Bibles. The Doctor did not have one with him. When they do start going for their Bibles, I stop them in their stride: "Surely, you know what you are quoting?", "Surely, you know your Bible?" After reading this, I hope some "born-again" Christians will rectify this deficiency. But I doubt that my Muslim readers will ever come across one in their lifetime who could give them the context. What is the Context? It is unfair on the part of the Reverend, having failed to provide the context, then to ask me, "Do you know the context?" "Of course," I said. "Then, what is it?" asked my learned friend. I said, "That which you have quoted is the text of John chapter 10, verse 30. To get at the context, we have to begin from verse 23 which reads: 23. "and Jesus was in the temple area walking in Solomon's Colonnade." (John 10:23). John, or whoever he was, who wrote this story, does not tell us the reason for Jesus tempting the Devil by walking alone in the lion's den. For we do not expect the Jews to miss a golden opportunity to get even with Jesus. Perhaps, he was emboldened by the manner in which he had literally whipped the Jews single-handed in the Temple, and upset the tables of the money changers at the beginning of his ministry (John 2:15). 24. "The Jews gathered around him, saying, "How long will you keep us in suspense? If you are the Christ, tell us plainly." (John 10:24). They surrounded him. Brandishing their fingers in his face, they began accusing him and provoking him; saying that he had not put forth his claim plainly enough, clearly enough. That he was talking ambiguously. They were trying to work themselves into a frenzy to assault him. In fact, their real complaint was that they did not like his method of preaching, his invectives, the manner in which he condemned them for their formalism, their ceremonialism, their going for the letter of the law and forgetting the spirit. But Jesus could not afford to provoke them any further there were too many and they were itching for a fight. Discretion is the better part of valor. In a conciliatory spirit, befitting the occasion: 25. "Jesus answered, I did tell you, but you do not believe. The miracles I do in my Father's name speak for me," 26. "but you do not believe because you are not my sheep." (John 10:25-26). Jesus rebuts the false charge of his enemies that he was ambiguous in his claims to being the Messiah that they were waiting for. He says that he did tell them clearly enough, yet they would not listen to him, but: 27. "My sheep listen to my voice; I know them, and they follow me." 28. "I give them eternal life, and they shall never perish; no one can snatch them out of my hand." 29. "My Father, who has given them to me, is greater than all; no one can snatch them out of my Father's hand.." (John 10:29). How can anyone be so blind as not to see the exactness of the ending of the last two verses. But spiritual blinkers are more impervious than physical defects. He is telling the Jews and recording for posterity, the real unity or relationship between the Father and the son. The most crucial verse: 30. "I and the Father are one." (John 10:30). One in what? In their Omniscience? In their Nature? In their Omnipotence? No! One in purpose! That once a believer has accepted faith, the Messenger sees to it that he remains in faith, and God Almighty also sees to it that he remains in faith. This is the purpose of the "Father" and the "son" and the "Holy Ghost" and of every man and every woman of faith. Let the same John explain his Gnostic mystic verbiage. "That they all may be one as thou. Father, art in me, and I in thee, that they also may be one in us..." "I in them, and thou in me, that they may be made perfect in one..."(John 17:20-22) If Jesus is "one" with God, and if that "oneness" makes him God, then the traitor Judas, and the doubting Thomas, and the satanic Peter, plus the other nine who deserted him when he was most in need are God(s), because the same "oneness" which he claimed with God in John 10:30, now he claims for all "who forsook him and fled" (Mark 14:50). All "ye of little faith" (Matthew 8:26). All "O faithless and perverse generation" (Luke 9:41). Where and when will the Christian blasphemy end? The expression "I and my Father are one," was very innocent, meaning nothing more than a common purpose with God. But the Jews were looking for trouble and any excuse will not do, therefore, 31. "Again the Jews picked up stones to stone him," 32. "but Jesus said to them, I have shown you many great miracles from the Father. For which of these do you stone me?" 33. "The Jews answered him, saying : 'For a good work we stone thee not; but for blasphemy; and because that thou, being a man, makest thyself a God.'" (John 10:31-33). In verse 24 above the Jews falsely alleged that Jesus was talking ambiguously. When that charge was ably refuted, they then accused him of blasphemy which is like treason in the spiritual realm. So they say that Jesus is claiming to be God "I and the Father are one". The Christians agree with the Jews in this that Jesus did make such a claim; but differ in that it was not blasphemy because the Christians say that he was God and was entitled to own up to his Divinity. The Christians and the Jews are both agreed that the utterance is serious. To one as an excuse for good "redemption", and to the other as an excuse for good "riddance". Between the two, let the poor Jesus die. But Jesus refuses to co-operate in this game, so: 34. "Jesus answered them, Is it not written in your Law, `I have said you are gods'?" 35. "If he called them `gods,' to whom the word of God came --and the Scripture cannot be broken--," 36. "what about the one whom the Father set apart as his very own and sent into the world? Why then do you accuse me of blasphemy because I said, `I am God's Son'?" (John 10:34-36). Why "Your Law"? He is a bit sarcastic in verse 34, but in any event, why does he say: "Your Law"? Is it not also his Law? Didn't he say: "Think not that I am come to destroy the Law of the prophets: I am come not to destroy, but to fulfill (the Law). For verily I say unto you, till heaven and earth pass away, one Jot or one tittle shall in no wise pass from the Law, till all be fulfilled." (Matthew 5:1718). "You are Gods" "You are gods:" He is obviously quoting from the 82nd Psalm , verse 6, "I have said, ye are gods: and all of you are the children of the most High." Jesus, continues: "If he (i.e. God Almighty) called them gods, unto whom the word of God came (meaning that the prophets of God were called 'gods') and the scripture cannot be broken..." (John 10:35), in other words he is saying: "you can't contradict me!" Jesus knows his Scripture; he speaks with authority; and he reasons with his enemies that: "If good men, holy men, prophets of God are being addressed as 'gods' in our Books of Authority, with which you find no fault, then why do you take exception to me? When the only claim I make for myself is far inferior in our language, viz. 'A son of God' as against others being called 'gods' by God Himself. Even if I (Jesus) described myself as 'god' in our language, according to Hebrew usage, you could find no fault with me." This is the plain reading of Christian Scripture. I am giving no interpretations of my own or some esoteric meaning to words! -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Chapter Seven : "In The Beginning" -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- "Where does Jesus say: 'I am God,' or 'I am equal to God,' or 'Worship me'?" I asked the Rev. Morris again. He took a deep breath and took another try. He quoted the most oft-repeated verse of the Christian Bible - John 1:1. "In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God." Please note, these are not the words of Jesus. They are the words of John (or whoever wrote them). Acknowledged by every erudite Christian scholar of the Bible as being the words of another Jew, Philo of Alexandria, who had written them even before John and Jesus were born. And Philo claimed no divine inspiration for them. No matter what mystical meaning that Philo had woven around these words (which our John has plagiarized), we will accept them for what they are worth. Greek not Hebrew Since the manuscripts of the 27 Books of the New Testament are in Greek, a Christian sect has produced its own version and has even changed the name of this selection of 27 Books to Christian Greek Scriptures ! I asked the Reverend whether he knew Greek? "Yes," he said, He had studied Greek for 5 years before qualification. I asked him what was the Greek word for "God" the first time it occurs in the quotation "and the Word was With God"? He kept staring, but didn't answer. So I said, the word was Hotheos, which literally means "The God". Since the European (including the North American) has evolved a system of using capital letters to start a proper noun and small letters for common nouns, we would accept his giving a capital "G" for God; in other words Hotheos is rendered "the god" which in turn is rendered "God". "Now tell me, what is the Greek word for "God" in the second occurrence in your quotation - "and the Word was God"? The Reverend still kept silent. Not that he did not know Greek, or that he had lied, but he knew more than that; the game was up. I said : "the word was Tontheos, which means "a god". According to your own system of translating you aught to have spelt this word 'God' a second time with a small 'g' i.e. 'god', and not 'God' with a capital 'G'; in other words Tontheos is rendered "a god". Both of these, "god" or "a god" are correct. I told the Reverend: "But in 2 Corinthians 4:4 you have dishonestly reversed your system by using a small 'g' when spelling 'God' "(and the devil is) the god of this world." The Greek word for "the god" is Hotheos the same as in John 1:1. "Why have you not been consistent in your translations ?" "If Paul was inspired to write hotheos the God for the Devil, why don't you use that capital 'G'?" And in the Old Testament, the Lord said unto Moses: "See, I have made thee a god to Pharoah" (Exodus 7:1). "Why do you use a small 'g' for 'God' when referring to Moses instead of a capital 'G' as you do for a mere word 'Word' - "and the Word was God."? "Why do you do this? Why do you play fast and loose with the Word of God?" I asked the reverend. He said, "I didn't do it." I said, "I know, but I am talking about the vested interests of Christianity, who are hell-bent to deify Christ, by using capital letters here and small letters there, to deceive the unwary masses who think that every letter, every comma and full stop and the capital and small letters were dictated by God (Capital 'G' here!)." -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Chapter Eight : What is Left -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Three Topics It can hardly be expected in a small publication of this nature that one can deal with all the references about Jesus, peace and blessings be upon him, interspersed throughout the fifteen different chapters of the Holy Quran. What we can do is to give a quick glance to the index page reproduced from the Quran earlier in this letter. Here we find three significant topics, not dealt with yet in our discussion: Not crucified, (4:157). Message and miracles,(5:113, 19:30-33). Prophesied Ahmed, (61:6). Regarding the first topic, "not crucified", I had written a booklet under the heading "Was Christ Crucified?" some twenty years ago. The book is presently out of print, and further, it needs updating, for much water has passed under the bridge since it first saw the light of day. As regards the third topic mentioned above, "Prophesied Ahmed", I propose to write a booklet under the title "Muhammed, salla Allah u alihi wa sallam, the Natural Successor to Christ" after I have completed "Was Christ Crucified?", I hope to complete both these projects soon, Insha Allah! (Arabic: "By the will of Allah"). The Way to Salvation We are now left with Topic No. 2, "Message and miracles". The message of Jesus was as simple and straight forward as that of all his predecessors as well as that of his successor Muhammed, salla Allah u alihi wa sallam, namely "Believe in God and keep His Commandments". For the God who inspired His Messengers, is an unvarying God and He is consistent: He is not the "author of confusion" (1 Corinthian14:33). A law abiding Jew comes to Jesus seeking eternal life or salvation. In the words of Matthew: "And behold, one came and said unto him, Good Master, what good thing shall I do, that I may have eternal life? And he said unto him, Why callest thou me good? there is none good but one, that is God: but if thou wilt enter into life, keep the commandments." (Matthew 19:16-17) You will agree, that if you or I were that Jew, we would infer from these words that, according to Jesus, peace and blessings be upon him, salvation was guaranteed, provided we kept the commandments without the shedding of any innocent blood. Unless, of course Jesus was speaking with tongue in cheek; knowing full well that his own "forthcoming redemptive sacrifice", his "vicarious atonement" (?) for the sins of mankind, was not many days hence. Why would Jesus give him the impossible solution of keeping the Law (as the Christian alleges) when an easier way was in the offing? Or did he not know what was going to happen, that he was to be crucified ? Was there not a contract between Father and Son, before the worlds began, for his redeeming blood to be shed? Had he lost his memory? No! There was no such fairy tale agreement as far as Jesus was concerned. He knew that there is only one way to God, and that is, as Jesus said, "keep the Commandments"! Miracles, What They Prove Regarding his miracles: the Holy Quran does not go into any detail about blind Bartimus or about Lazarus or any other miracle, except that he (Jesus) defended his mother as an infant in his mother's arms. The Muslim has no hesitation about accepting the most wondrous of his miracles - even that of reviving the dead. But that does not make Jesus a "God" or the begotten "Son of God" as understood by the Christian. Miracles do not prove even prophethood, or whether a man is true or false. Jesus himself said: "For there shall arise false Christs, and false prophets, and shall show great signs and wonders; insomuch that, if it were possible, they shall deceive the very elect."(Matthew 24:24) If false prophets and false Christs can perform miraculous feats, then these wonders or miracles do not prove even the geniuses or otherwise, of a prophet. John the Baptist, according to Jesus, was the greatest of the Israelite prophets. Greater than Moses, David, Solomon, Isaiah and all, not excluding himself: in his own words: "Verily I say unto you, among them that are born of women there hath not risen a greater than John the Baptist..." (Matthew 11:11) Not excluding Jesus: because, was he not born of a woman - Mary? The Baptist, greater than "all", yet he performed not a single miracle! Miracles are no standards of judging truth and falsehood. But in his childishness, the might Christian insists that Jesus is God because he gave life back to the dead. Will reviving the dead make others God too? This perplexes him, because he has mentally blocked himself from the miracles of others who outshine Jesus in his own Bible. For example, according to his false standard: Moses is greater than Jesus because he put life back into a dead stick and transmuted it from the plant kingdom to the animal kingdom by making it into a serpent (Exodus 7:10). Elisha is greater than Jesus because the bones of Elisha brought a man back to life merely by coming into contact with the corpse (2 Kings 13:21). Need I illustrate to you a catalogue of miracles? But the sickness persists - "it was God working miracles through His prophets but Jesus performed them of his own power." Where did Jesus get all his power from? Ask Jesus, and he will tell us: Power not His Own "...All power is given unto me in heaven and in earth." (Matthew 28:18) "...I cast out devils by the Spirit of God then the kingdom of God is come unto you." (Matthew 12:28) "I can of mine own self do nothing " (John 5:30) "I with the finger of God cast out devils" (Luke 1 1:20) Borrowed Power The "power" as he says is not his, "it is given unto me". Given by whom? By God, of course! Every action, every word he attributes to God. Lazarus But since so much is made of Jesus' mightiest miracle of reviving Lazarus from the dead, we will analyze the episode as recorded in John's Gospel. It is astonishing that none of the other Gospel writers mention Lazarus in any context. However, the story is that Lazarus was very sick, his sisters Mary and Martha had made frantic calls for Jesus to come and cure his sickness but he arrived too late, actually four days after his demise. He Groaned Mary wails to Jesus that had he arrived in time, perhaps her brother would not have died; meaning that if he could heal other peoples' sicknesses, why would he not have healed her brother, a dear friend of his. Jesus says that "even now if ye have faith, ye shall see the glory of god." The condition was that they should have faith. Didn't he say that faith could move mountains? He asks to be taken to the tomb. On the way, "he groaned in the spirit". He was not mumbling; he was pouring out his heart and praying to God. But while he sobbed so bitterly his words were not audible enough for people around him to understand. Hence the words "he groaned". On reaching the grave, Jesus "groaned" again; perhaps, even more earnestly and God heard his groaning (his prayer), and Jesus received the assurance that God will fulfill his request. Now, Jesus could rest assured and command that the stone which was barring the tomb, be removed so that Lazarus could come back from the dead. Without that assurance from God, Jesus would have made a fool of himself. Avoiding Misunderstanding Mary thinks of the stink because her brother had been dead for four days! But Jesus was confident and the stone was removed. Then he looked up towards heaven and said: "Father, I thank thee that thou hast heard me. And I knew that thou hearest me always: but because of the people which stand by I said it, that they may believe that thou hast sent me." (John 11:41-42) What is all this, play - acting? Why all the drama? Because he know that these superstitious and credulous people will misunderstand the source of the miracle. They might take him for "God". Giving life to the dead is the prerogative of God alone. To make doubly sure, that his people do not misunderstand, he speaks out loudly that the "groaning" was actually his crying to God Almighty for help. The prayer was incoherent as far as the bystanders could discern, but the Father in heaven had accepted his prayer, viz. "thou hast heard me". Furthermore, he says, "thou hearest me always"; in other words, every miracle wrought by him was an answer by God Almighty to his prayer. The Jews of his day understood the position well, and they "glorified God", as Matthew tells us of another occasion when the Jews exclaimed "for giving such power unto men" (Matt. 9:8). In fact, Jesus gives his reason for speaking loudly. He says, "that they may believe that thou has sent me." One who is sent is a messenger, and if he be sent by God, then he is a Messenger of God i.e. Rasulullah. Jesus is referred to in the Quran asRasulullah ("Messenger of Allah"). Alas, this attempt by Jesus to prevent any misunderstanding, as to who really performed the miracle, and that he was in fact only a messenger of God, failed. Christians will not even accept the unambiguous disavowal of Jesus, nor the testimony of Peter, the "Rock" upon which Jesus was supposed to build his Church. Peter truly testified: "Ye men of Israel, hear these words: Jesus of Nazareth, A man approved of God among you by miracles and wonders and signs, which God did by him in the midst of you, as ye yourselves also know. " (Acts 2:22) Case Not Hopeless This very same message is repeated by God Almighty in the Holy Quran, following the annunciation. In verse 49 of chapter 3, Allah makes it clear that every sign or wonder that Jesus performed was "By Allah's leave," by God's permission. Jesus says so, Peter says so and God says so; but the stubborn controversialist will not listen: prejudice, superstition and credulity die hard. Our duty is simply to deliver the Message, loud and clear, the rest we leave to God. The case is not altogether hopeless for Allah tells us in His Holy Book: "And among them are some who have faith, but most of them are perverted transgressors." (3:110) "Among them", meaning among the Jews and the Christians, there are two types of people; the one group described as people of faith to whom this book is addressed, and the other as rebellious transgressors. We must also find ways and means of getting at them. Our literature is eminently suited to cater for all. Pass them on to your non - Muslim friends after reading. Open the Holy Quran and make your Christian friends and acquaintances to read the verses discussed in this book. Then we can truly conclude: "Such (was) Jesus the son of Mary: (it is) a statement of truth, about which they (vainly) dispute. "It is not befitting to (the majesty of) Allah (God) that He should beget a son. Glory be to Him! when He determines a matter, He only says to it, 'Be', and it is. "Verily Allah is my Lord and your Lord: Him therefore serve ye: this is a Way that is straight." (19:34-36) -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- This is an authorized modification of the original English text. For more free publications, please contact: Islamic Propagation Centre International 124 Queen Street , Durban, 4001 Republic of South Africa Telephone (027-31) 306-0026. Telex (095) 6-21815 IPCI SA Telefax (027-31) 304-032 more

Resolved Question: what should we do to free our planet from terrorism?

Resolved Question: microecomics tests?

1.In practice, the term “centrally planned economy” refers to an economy in which a.The government makes all production and consumption decisions b.The mix of market and command principles is weighted towards he latter c.All commodities are rationed d.The military is in control of the government e.Economic decision are made in the geographic center of the country 2.Suppose Andrea has a job that pays her $25,000 per year (after taxes). She is considering quitting her job and going to university full time for four years. Tuition fees and books will cost $3,000 per year. Living expense will cost $5,000 per year. What is the opportunity cost of Andreas’s university degree? a.$100,000 b.$112,000 c.$120,000 d.$132,000 e.Zero 3.A positive statement is a statement about a.what is, was, or will be b.what is and what should be c.what should be but is not d.what is desirable e.non-negative numbers more

Resolved Question: Do u think this is true?

and plz read the whole thing it took forever to write. There are words in our language that seem to lead inevitably to controversy. This is surely true for the words "equality" and "race." And yet among well informed people, there is little disagreement as to what these words should mean, in part because various advances in biological science have produced a better understanding of the human condition. Let me begin with race. There is a widespread feeling that the word "race" indicates something undesirable and that it should be left out of all discussions. This leads to such statements as "there are no human races." Those who subscribe to this opinion are obviously ignorant of modern biology. Races are not something specifically human; races occur in a large percentage of species of animals. You can read in every textbook on evolution that geographic races of animals, when isolated from other races of their species, may in due time become new species. The terms "subspecies" and "geographic race" are used interchangeably in this taxonomic literature. This at once raises a question: are there races in the human species? After all, the characteristics of most animal races are strictly genetic, while human races have been marked by nongenetic, cultural attributes that have very much affected their overt characteristics. Performance in human activities is influenced not only by the genotype but also by culturally acquired attitudes. What would be ideal, therefore, would be to partition the phenotype of every human individual into genetic and cultural components. Alas, so far we have not yet found any reliable technique to do this. What we can do is acknowledge that any recorded differences between human races are probably composed of cultural as well as genetic elements. Indeed, the cause of many important group differences may turn out to be entirely cultural, without any genetic component at all. Still, if I introduce you to an Eskimo and a Kalahari Bushman I won't have much trouble convincing you that they belong to different races. In a recent textbook of taxonomy, I defined a "geographic race" or subspecies as "an aggregate of phenotypically similar populations of a species inhabiting a geographic subdivision of the range of that species and differing taxonomically from other populations of that species." A subspecies is a geographic race that is sufficiently different taxonomically to be worthy of a separate name. What is characteristic of a geographic race is, first, that it is restricted to a geographic subdivision of the range of a species, and second, that in spite of certain diagnostic differences, it is part of a larger species. No matter what the cause of the racial difference might be, the fact that species of organisms may have geographic races has been demonstrated so frequently that it can no longer be denied. And the geographic races of the human species - established before the voyages of European discovery and subsequent rise of a global economy - agree in most characteristics with the geographic races of animals. Recognizing races is only recognizing a biological fact. Still, the biological fact by itself does not foreclose giving various answers to the question, What is race? In particular, adherence to different political and moral philosophies, as we shall see, permits rather different answers. But I believe it is useful at the outset to bracket the cultural factors and explore some of the implications of a strictly biological approach. The evolutionary literature explains why there are geographic races. Every local population of a species has its own gene pool with its own mutations and errors of sampling. And every population is subject to selection by the local environment. There is now a large literature on the environmental factors that may influence the geographic variation of a species. For example, populations of warm-blooded vertebrates (mammals and birds) in the colder part of their geographical range tend to larger size (Bergmann's rule). Darwin wondered whether these climatic factors were sufficient to account for the differences between geographic races in the human species. He finally concluded that sexual selection, the preference of women for certain types of men, might be another factor leading to differences between geographic races. This kind of biological analysis is necessary but not sufficient. By itself, biology cannot explain the vehemence of the modern controversy over race. Historically, the word "race" has had very different meanings for different people holding different political philosophies. Furthermore, in the last two hundred years there has been a change in the dominant philosophy of race. In the eighteenth century, when America's Constitution was written, all our concepts were dominated by the thinking of the physical sciences. Classes of entities were conceived in terms of Platonic essentialism. Each class (eidos) corresponded to a definite type that was constant and invariant. Variation never entered into discussions because it was considered to be "accidental" and hence irrelevant. A different race was considered a different type. A white European was a different type from a black African. This went so far that certain authors considered the human races to be different species. It was the great, and far too little appreciated, achievement of Charles Darwin to have replaced this typological approach by what we now call population thinking. In this new thinking, the biological uniqueness of every individual is recognized, and the inhabitants of a certain geographic region are considered a biopopulation. In such a biopopulation, no two individuals are the same, and this is true even for the six billion humans now on Earth. And, most important, each biopopulation is highly variable, and its individuals greatly differ from each other, thanks to the unique genetic combinations that result from this variability. Let me illustrate the implications of individual differences by analyzing the outcome of the 2001 Boston marathon. Kenyans are a population famous for producing long-distance runners. Three Kenyans had entered the race, and it was predicted that they would end the race as numbers one, two, and three. However, to everybody's great surprise, the winner was a Korean, and, even more surprisingly, number two was an Ecuadorian from a population that had never been credited with long-distance running abilities. It was a clear refutation of a typological - or essentialist - approach to thinking about race. In a Darwinian population, there is great variation around a mean value. This variation has reality, while the mean value is simply an abstraction. One must treat each individual on the basis of his or her own unique abilities, and not on the basis of the group's mean value. At the same time, nothing could be more meaningless than to evaluate races in terms of their putative "superiority." Superiority where, when, and under what circumstances? During the period of the development of the human races, each one became adapted to the condition of its geographic location. Put a Bushman and an Eskimo in the Kalahari Desert and the Bushman is very much superior; put a Bushman and an Eskimo on the Greenland ice and the Eskimo is by far superior. The Australian Aborigines were very successful in colonizing Australia around sixty thousand years ago and developed local races with their own culture. Yet they could not defend themselves against European invaders. What happened to the human population in this case of European colonization is comparable to what happened to the biota of New Zealand - a case that Darwin studied. When British animals and plants were introduced into New Zealand, many native species were not able to cope with this new competition and became extinct. In both cases, the success of the European populations of plants, animals, and colonists may have been simply due to a constellation of favorable geographic factors. There is no evidence at all that it was due to some intrinsic genetic "superiority." When dealing with human races we must think of them as the inhabitants of the geographic region in which they had originated. Presumably each human race consists of individuals who, on average and in certain ways, are demonstrably superior to the average individual of another race. Eskimos, for instance, are superior in their adaptedness to cold. In the last four or five Olympics there were always six to eight contenders of African descent among the ten finalists in the sprinting races, surely not an accidental percentage. These considerations should teach us how we should think about human races. A human race consists of the descendants of a once-isolated geographical population primarily adapted for the environmental conditions of their original home country. But, as is illustrated by the success of Europeans and Africans and Asians in all parts of the world, any race is capable of living anywhere. Most importantly, a race is always highly variable: any human race will include a wide variety of extraordinary individuals who excel in very different human abilities. When comparing one race with another, we do find genes that are on the whole specific for certain populations. Many individuals of Native American descent have the Diego blood group factors, and people of Jewish descent have a propensity for Tay-Sachs disease. Some of these characteristics are virtually diagnostic, but most are merely quantitative, like the description of the human races in older anthropology textbooks describing skin color, hair, eye color, body size, etc. An ensemble of such characteristics usually permits classifying an individual in the relevant race. All these characteristics are nevertheless highly variable, and it is virtually impossible to classify every individual definitively, especially in those areas where one geographic race merges into another (as is true, for example, for the human population of modern-day America). Curiously, when people make derogatory statements about members of other races, they often do not refer to biological traits at all, but rather to putative character traits: members of a certain racial group are said to be lazy, dishonest, unreliable, thievish, arrogant, etc. There is no scientific evidence of a genetic basis for any such negative traits. There is also no scientific evidence known to me that the genetic differences we do discover among the human races have any influence at all on personality. Most of the mentioned undesirable personality traits, if they are at all correlated with specific human populations, are obviously cultural and therefore open to change through appropriate forms of education. It is generally unwise to assume that every apparent difference in traits between populations of human beings has a biological cause. In a recent aptitude test administered in California, students of Asian descent did conspicuously better than students of African descent. Researchers evaluating these results subsequently discovered that in the year preceding the test, the Asian-American students had spent a daily average of three hours on homework, while the African-American students had done virtually no homework at all. The test results by themselves cannot tell us what percentage of the superior performance by the Asian-American students was due to their genetic endowment and what percentage to the cultural trait of being better prepared for the test thanks to spending, on the whole, far more time on homework than the African-American students did. One can conclude from these observations that although there are certain genetic differences between races, there is no genetic evidence whatsoever to justify the uncomplimentary evaluation that members of one race have sometimes made of members of other races. There simply is no biological basis for racism. Indeed, what is far more important than the differences between human races is the enormous variation within each racial group. We must always keep in mind that no two human beings even so-called identical twins - are in fact genetically identical. When encountering a lying member of another race, nothing would be more illogical - and unjust - than to conclude that all members of that race are liars. Likewise, if one encountered a particularly warmhearted member of a different race, it would be equally foolish to conclude that all members of that race are equally warmhearted. To avoid such mistakes, it is useful to apply the population thinking pioneered by Darwin. It also helps to adopt the motto "They are like us." This was my motto more than seventy years ago when I became one of the first outsiders to visit a native village in the interior of New Guinea. Invariably, they are like us. Whenever I lived with one of these relatively isolated populations of human beings for any length of time, it did not take me long to discover the differences in the personalities of the individuals with whom I had to deal. The rule that no individuals are the same was as true for the Stone Age natives of New Guinea as it is for a group of my Harvard colleagues. A lot of our human difficulties are due to people forgetting the simple rule that no two people are the same. So what, if anything, does biology, and specifically the biological understanding of race, have to teach us about the concept of equality? In the first place, the biological facts may help to remind us just how new the political concept of equality really is. When we look at social species of animals, we discover that there is always a rank order. There may be an alpha-male or an alpha-female, and all other individuals of the group fall somewhere below them in the rank order. A similar rank-ordering has long marked many human societies as well. During the years I lived in a small village of Papuans in the mountains of New Guinea, the local chief had three wives, other high-ranking members of the village had one, and a number of "inferior" tribesmen had no wives at all. Nineteenth-century British society distinguished clearly between aristocrats, gentlemen, and common workingmen. As George Eliot describes in the novel Middlemarch, there was even a rank order within each of these major classes. As a historian of science, I am inclined to believe that the scientific revolution of the eighteenth century helped to promote new ways of thinking about equality. From the perspective of Newtonian essentialism, all samples of a chemical element are identical and, as modern physics assumes, so are nuclear particles. Equality of this sort is a universal phenomenon. Perhaps it was only a small step from Newtonian essentialism to the moral proposition that all human beings are essentially equal, and therefore should have equal rights. As is true of the word "race," "equality" has come to mean different things to different people. I take it for granted that every good American accepts the principle of civil equality. This means equal opportunity, equality before the law, and equality in social interactions. To have elaborated this principle is one of the glorious achievements of the American Revolution. Still, the principle cannot in many contexts be applied concretely, for the kinds of biological reasons I have already discussed. No two human individuals are genetically the same. Paradoxically, it is precisely because the human population is genetically and culturally so diverse that we need a principle of civil equality. Anybody should be able to enjoy the benefits of our liberal society in spite of differences of religion, race, or socioeconomic status. Regardless of whether the difference in performance between individuals, or two groups, has biological or purely cultural causes, it is our moral obligation to see to it that each individual and group has an equal opportunity. The great British geneticist J. B. S. Haldane asked what we can do to provide equal opportunities to all members of our society, regardless of any differences in ability. He said we simply have to provide more opportunities, we must diversify our educational curricula, and we must offer new incentives. These reflections on the biology of race and the concept of equality suggest the following conclusions: * Every single human being is biologically unique and differs in major characteristics even from close relatives. * Geographical groups of humans, what biologists call races, tend to differ from each other in mean differences and sometimes even in specific single genes. But when it comes to the capacities that are required for the optimal functioning of our society, I am sure that the performance of any individual in any racial group can be matched by that of some individual in another racial group. This is what a population analysis reveals. * In small groups of primitive human beings, just as in all groups created by social animals, there is a rank order, with certain individuals being dominant. * In the large human societies that developed after the origin of agriculture and the rise of cities, new systems of ranking became established, of which the European feudal societies of the fourteenth to the eighteenth century were typical. * Democracy, including the principle of civil equality, emerged during the Enlightenment and became fully established through the American Revolution and incorporated in the Constitution of the new American republic. * When Thomas Jefferson proclaimed that " all men are created equal," he failed to distinguish between the civil equality of individual human beings and their biological uniqueness. Even though all of us are in principle equal before the law and ought to enjoy an equality of opportunity, we may be very different in our preferences and aptitudes. And if this is ignored, it may well lead to discord. * It is our obligation to overcome the seeming conflict between a strict upholding of civil equality and the vast biological and cultural differences among individual human beings and groups of individuals. The introduction of new educational measures and even legislation to overcome existing inequalities will be successful only if based on a full understanding of the underlying biological and cultural factors. more

Resolved Question: Arabs and The Racial Lessons of 9/11?

WHAT DO YOU THINK OF THIS ARTICLE? Arabs and the Racial Lessons of 9/11 By Carol Chehade Special to SeeingBlack.com Talk about race relations and Black politics! Click here. Profiled, feared, detained, assaulted, accused, interrogated, harassed, hated, and collectivized since 9-11, Arab Americans have suddenly known what it feels like to be temporarily Black. Although it is wrong to treat Arab Americans like criminals, we shouldn't be surprised when we are treated in ways African Americans have been treated for centuries. Still, many in my Arab American community are surprised when we are treated un-White. We figured that if we played by the racial rules of this country, we would be bypassed in receiving some of the bigotry that Blacks routinely receive. Yet, that old cliché of what goes around comes around finally showed itself to be more than another cliché. The backlash we're now receiving is from the same whip we've borrowed to lash out against African Americans. Currently, the Arab American community is having a hard time trying to figure out why we've been racially demoted from ethnic house slave to ethnic field slave. I am less disappointed in how my ethnic group has been signaled out and more disappointed in how we have been pathetically courting the very White privilege that has the power to decide which group will be signaled out. We need to be completely honest as Arab Americans and ask ourselves whether or not we have been ethnic models of anti-racism. My heart tells me no. Although 9-11 represents many things to different people, one of its most interesting features is how the events after 9-11 can gauge how far we've come in understanding the disease of racism. As I walked through diverse neighborhoods in New York City shortly after the carnage of 9-11, I noticed many non-Black people of color had aggressively decorated their homes and vehicles with American flags. The more immigrants in the area or the more the residents resembled Arabs, the more flags I saw lightly fluttering in the air. I thought to myself that it is too bad Black people can not lightly wave their flags in the air whenever members from their own race experienced problems. Unlike Arab Americans, the flag that African Americans know is so heavily drenched in blood and tears that it can never lightly flutter anywhere. Looking at how Arab Americans use flags reminds me of the Biblical story of God instructing the Hebrews to mark their doors with blood so that the wrath of God would bypass them. Like countless immigrant communities before 9-11, many Arab Americans freely participated in covert and overt acts of racism against African Americans. This is no secret to Black people who already know that Arab Americans have the same type of superiority complex that European Americans do. This superiority complex is not only evident in the way we act toward Black people but in the way we choose to disassociate ourselves from their community. Our disassociation would not be so evident if we weren't ruthlessly trying to move up the racial hierarchy so that we can be closer to Whiteness. Unfortunately, every non-Black immigrant group has worked hard to secure a so-called respectable place above Blacks on the racial hierarchy. When groups like Italians, Jews, Hispanics, Asians, and now Arabs have faced their turn to be questioned on their allegiance to upholding the caste structure, few fully challenged the legitimacy of this racist pre-condition to be accepted as Americans. As the Arab American community contends with the discrimination we're facing, we have been a little more sympathetic about some of the issues African Americans have always contended with, but which we did not believe until they started happening to us. Instead of seeing the bigger picture of racism by creating permanent and stronger ties with the Black community, we often use such ties as a temporary refuge, a temporary residence where we find people sensitive to our plight. I say temporary because we are not trying to stay "Black." In contrast, the only impermanent feelings we have toward Whites is that our eviction from Whiteness is nothing more than a temporary inconvenience. As long as we repay our dues by not challenging Whiteness in any real way then Whites, in exchange, will trust us again and re-induct us back into the racial position we held prior to 9-11. History has shown us that as long as we follow the formula of selling out our color to the highest bidder, then Whiteness will accept us back quicker than they will Blacks. The proof of us using Blacks as temporary residence is exemplified in the way that we are more concerned with bigotry toward our community without facing the racism that comes from our community. If we really wanted the Black community as a permanent residence, then we'd put more effort and care to resolve our issues. An analogy is that if a man does not truly care for a woman, rarely will he take the time to explore her complexities because he knows he's only with her temporarily. Arabs have a lazy attitude in relations with Blacks because we are simply buying time in order to invest in the desired habitat of Whiteness. We become another of a long line of people who use the Black community and then discard it for something perceived as better. As a result, we invalidate our cries of discrimination by perpetuating the very thing of which we complain. Our temporary exile from Whiteness should serve as a wake-up call as to whether we want to be re-instated into a racial hierarchy that wields so much unearned power. We look so racially arrogant when we complain to Black people about our brushes with bigotry. Stereotypes against Arab Americans have never been powerful enough to enslave us. An international event had to take place for the eyes of Whiteness to look down upon us, whereas those very eyes have been obsessively watching Blackness despite Black people having done nothing. It took the worst terrorist attack on American soil for Arab Americans to be mistreated, whereas all it took for African Americans to be mistreated was to be on American soil. If Black Africans instead Arabs had brought terrorism to our shores, there would have been a race war in this country. And judging by the way the Arab American community has treated African Americans, I don't think the majority of us would jeopardize our climb up the racial hierarchy be siding with them. With all of the ignorance the Arab American community has been victim to, we still haven't fully learned our racial lessons due to the fact we still want our full Whiteness back. One of the most seductive privileges of Whiteness is that it allows us to blend back into the racial comfort zone where we're not constantly questioned. All non-Black people of color have been able to enjoy this, albeit conditional, racial comfort zone. Being a "minority" has less to do with what we look like and more to do with how we think. A real minority means someone who destroys the power of Whiteness. Since African Americans have done this more than any of us -often without choice- they produce more "minorities" than other ethnic group of color. Arab Americans can never be real "minorities" as long as we routinely switch racial allegiances to the side that best serves us at the moment. We change our positions with as much speed as Whiteness has in disowning those who challenge the false pretences it takes to become White. We exhibit this non-committal, part-time "minority" status whenever we want some the perceived benefits of minorities without giving up the privileges of Whiteness. Until we can build an equal relationship with the Black community that does not position Arab Americans with the upper hand, then I will not bastardize the Black struggle by joining it with the Arab American struggle. As long as we crave the approval of Whiteness, our relationship with the Black community will be dysfunctional. Like all wars, 9-11 brought a country together over a shared common enemy. This superficial unity will fall apart as soon as that enemy is shown its place and the only way to keep this deceptive unity going is to find another common enemy. The most returned to common enemy in our country has been Black people. Our country may have short-term affairs with other enemies such as Arabs, but as soon as these short-term affairs die out, then it always goes back to the enemy it has abused the longest. Arab Americans have a tremendous opportunity to alter this pattern by not enabling it with our consent to support the indiscretions of racial superiority. If we are to be positive additions to the United States, then we have to strengthen what makes us weak, and one of the biggest things that weaken us as a nation is racism. more