4dollars15cents's Blog

As yet another preacher has come on the scene of the presidential campaign, I'm wondering what ever happened to the supposed seperation of church and state? 

Do you think that preachers should use the pulpit to voice their concerns about candidates?  I don't. 

I think that if we enter into what many consider "the house of the Lord's" or God's house, then we should respect the fact that God has no place or person(s) in politics.  It is a spiritual house and not our secular home.

When preachers use their voice to campaign for or even against any political candidate, they are not worthy of praticing what they preach. 

Now, many of you might disagree with me.  But I ask you to first read what is written in the book of  James, chapter one, verse 25 through 27 and then tell me if some of these so-called ministers should repent.

Secondly, I would also ask that you read what is written in the book of Matthew, chapter six, verses one through eight and come to terms with what Jesus was trying to teach us about how we should worship God. 

Churches should not be used for electing city officials or any other kind of political gathering.  It is sacred and a place of worship for those who do worship God in spirit and in truth.  (John 4:24)

Question:  How likely would you vote or not vote for a candidate, if they were one of the following...

(a)   An Atheists
(b)  A Muslim
(c)  A Jew
(d)  A Christian

Due the debacle of the Clayton County Board of Education and the risk of the school system losing its accreditation, should taxpayers file a class action law suit against the Clayton County school board and the Clayton County Commissioners Office, to have the property taxes, which was itemized into the school system, fully refunded back to the taxpayers of Clayton County?

Should the taxpayers of Clayton County, who have children in school,  use that money to offset expenses of tranferring their children to other qualified school districts? 

Should the Clayton County Commissioners Office take into consideration the debacle of the Clayton County School Board, by eliminating or even offseting the property taxes owed, inregards to the school tax, during the next tax season of fall 2008?

All of these should be poll questions.  But I'm just wondering if the taxpayers of Clayton County have a valid lawsuit and claim to the monies paid to the Commissioners Office, for school tax.  But now, have to deal with the school system losing it accreditation because of the members of the school board. 

If you ask me, that's money wasted.  And a refund is entitled, until this matter is cleared up and resolved.  

Are there any law professors, students and even attorneys, who would like to weigh in on these questions? 

The growing number of foreclosures in Georgia is really beginning to show how much education homeowners need to have before purchasing a home. 

And I'm not saying this is be facetious.  But a lot of times, people will buy more property than they can afford.  And in other times, a lot of homeowners do not really do their "home"work, when it comes to understanding the difference between an ARM (Adjustable Rate Mortgage) and a Fixed Mortgage. 

I'm willing to bet that a lot of those foreclosures have an ARM attached to them.  And it's that ARM that is pulling those homeowner's finances down the drain.  So, what's the different between an Adjustable Rate Mortgage and a Fixed Mortgage?

Well, without getting into all of the specifics, let's define those mortgages by the needs and wants of the consumer. 

If you plan on getting a home, whether new or old, but you don't plan on staying at that residence for a long period of time, then it's perfectly understandable to get a mortgage loan with an Adjustable Rate Mortgage.   The only catch is, your payments may or may not, work in your favor, depending on other factors that will make the rate go up or down.  But what do you care? You're about to sell the home and get a little something out of it. 

However, if you set all of your money aside and saved up to buy the "perfect" house, this is your dream home, you love the neighborhood and you are completely content  and you don't plan on moving any time soon;  well then, getting an Adjustable Rate Mortgage would be the biggest mistake that you could ever dream possible.  But why it that?

Well, only Fixed Rate Mortgages are designed for "fixed" homeowners.  That's why it's called  a fixed rate.  The only way to change that rate is to refinance.  However, having a fixed rate doesn't always keep your mortgage the same.  But at least, you can still plan your finances around it.  

The one thing that homeowners have to always keep an eye one, whether they have an ARM or a Fixed Rate Mortgage, is their property taxes.  This unexpecting devil will always rear its ugly head and cause homeowners to pay out more than they had planned.  But there again, homeowners need to be more educated about their property taxes.  And to do that, always get an Escrow Account with your mortgage and keep an eye on it.  

Escrow Accounts are designed to help pay for the taxes and insurance on your home.  But did you know that you can add money to your Escrow Account?  A lot of times, taxes will go up and really catch homeowners off guard.  So, it's always a good idea to talk with your mortgage lender about putting some extra funds into Escrow to cover the "oops" and "ah, man!"  of higher property taxes.   By federal law, once your taxes are paid, any monies left over is a refund.  It's coming back to you. 

And speaking of refunds, that's probably the money that you would want to use to put a little something into Escrow.  But what ever you do, become knowledgable and remain knowledgable about being a homeowner.  It's a wonderful feeling, but if you're not up on all of the odds and ends of the deal, then you've already cracked your foundation, financially.

I'll tell you who's getting played.  The tax payers. 

You would think that the justice system is the one that's being tried and gotten the death penalty. 

What is it going to take for Brian Nichols to finally face up to his crimes?

Should he be given the death penalty or no?

Should those who are illegally in the U.S. have the privilege to obtain American driver's licenses? 

I say yes!  In fact, absolutely!  But why is that? 

Well, let's first consider the problem of not having a driver's license, as well as being in the U.S. illegally.

Without a driver's license, a person's identity can not be truly revealed.  And this poses a problem for everyone, especially when there's a traffic accident.  If you're not the one at fault and they don't have a "valid" driver's license, you don't know who to bring charges against.  

And no offense to the spanish citizens, but how many "José Juan's" are there, who have a valid driver's license and are in the U.S. legally?  Again, this is a real problem.  

But remember, especially for those of you who may disagree with illegal aliens having American driver's licenses; driving is a privilege and not a right.  So, giving someone the privilege to drive is not the same as giving them a right. 

However, I do understand the concern that many people have with this issue.  And that's why I feel that illegal aliens, who obtain the privilege to drive, should also be given a different class number, other than the regular class number. 

For example, if someone were to get a class "C" driver's license and they are also an illegal alien, then that driver's license would be a class C - A - what ever nationality they are.  And the word "Alien" would be either underneath their name or across their photo.    But what purpose would any of this serve?

Well, for one, those who are given driver's licenses can also now get insurance.  And that's a big plus for everyone.  Secondly, illegal aliens can now be properly idenitified and even tracked through APB warrant checks.  And third, since they are now more easily identifiable, those illegal aliens who have committed crimes can be easily deported and kept record on.  So, this can be a win/win for the U.S.

I mean, do you really know the people in your neighborhood?  Why not?  You drive by them everyday.  Wouldn't you like to know if they even have a privilege to drive also?  Why not make them official by giving the same privilege as you have.  It's not a right.  And the rights, which you do have, are not being infringed upon.  It's just safe to know that people who practice driving on our streets are, in fact, licensed drivers, regardless if they are here illegally or not.  

What'cha think?       

Since the drought has taken a huge toll on Georgia's water supply, maybe it's time to do come creative thinking and maybe even some alternative drinking. 

Now, this might sound a bit crazy.  But desperate times calls for desperate measures.  And since Georgia's lakes and rivers are soon to dry up, I'm thinking that maybe some water, much needed water, could be siphon from the Atlantic ocean to our reservoir and then filtered through the water plants, that would then make it way to residents and businesses.  

Sounds like a plan, right?  The only question or problem is, who's going to pay for the water to be siphon from the ocean?  I think that Georiga needs to be declared in a state of emergency.  We don't need to wait until the rivers are completely dried up.  By that time, who knows how drastic the economy will be or how much of an impact this drought would leave Georgia in.  Something needs to be done now.  And since Georgia is closer to the ocean than other states, it only seem right to dip into that water to calm some of our woes.  

What'cha think?   

www.blackwaterusa.com

Blackwater was founded in 1997 from a clear vision developed from an understanding of the need for innovative, flexible training and operational solutions to support security and peace, and freedom and democracy everywhere.

Our founder is a former U. S. Navy SEAL. He created Blackwater on the belief that both the military and law enforcement establishments would require additional capacity to train fully our brave men and women in and out of uniform to the standards required to keep our country secure.

Blackwater USA consists of nine separate business units: Blackwater Training Center (the largest private firearms and tactical training center in the U. S.), Blackwater Target Systems, Blackwater Security Consulting, Blackwater Canine, Maritime Security, manufacturing of custom Armored Vehicles, Parachute Jump Team, Aviation, and Raven Development Group. We also have relationships with our strategic partners, Aviation Worldwide Services and Greystone Ltd.

We are not simply a "private security company." We are a professional military, law enforcement, security, peacekeeping, and stability operations firm who provides turnkey solutions. We assist with the development of national and global security policies and military transformation plans. We can train, equip and deploy public safety and military professionals, build live-fire indoor/outdoor ranges, MOUT facilities and shoot houses, create ground and aviation operations and logistics support packages, develop and execute canine solutions for patrol and explosive detection, and can design and build facilities both domestically and in austere environments abroad.

Blackwater lives its core values of excellence, efficiency, execution, and teamwork. In doing this, we have become the most responsive, cost-effective means of affecting the strategic balance in support of security and peace, and freedom and democracy everywhere.

How do we heal?  Do we even want to heal?  Eversince the "Jena 6" trials started, the country is yet, again, separated. 

Now, all of a sudden, we appear to have so much to say about race relations and racism.  But is all of this talk really going to solve any problems?  Or is it really going to expose our own personal views about race?  

When all is said and done; and when all of the cameras and press coverage has ended; what is to become of our dissolving race relations?   When does the healig starts? 

Thoughts and comments, anyone? 

I've already posted a blog, concerning this topic.  Just surprised at how slowly the media is coming out with this story. 

Not saying that it has to be big news, but it isn't something that should be treated so casually.  It is a tragedy.  Aren't these the kinds of stories that news media like to report?  

I guess I'll have to stay tune. 

First, I am glad that the state is considering banning saggy britches.   I mean, it is not a fad.  It's a very unsightly seen.  And to add insult to injury, a lot of the kids, who are choosing to wear their pants down low, don't even know the origin of where that style came from.  But the fault does not fall on the kids alone, because parents also should be educated about where this fashion statement originated. 

Saggy britches came straight, and I use that term loosely, out of prison.  It was a way to let other male inmates know if someone was available for a date that evening.  So, it's not a fashion statement, but more of a sexuality preference.  Yet,  I do understand that this isn't the real reason why kids choose to wear their pants low.  But there again, kids are not educated, properly, about the different types of things that they choose to pick up and copy.  Because if they had known this, a lot of pants would be up and even running. 

But I do feel that the state should pass a law that would ban saggy britches.  And parents should monitor their children closely, so that they won't pick up any habits or fashion statements that might give the wrong kinds of impressions upon their kids.  And no, I'm not speaking about the sexual preference part.  But any kinds of impressions that is not of their child's character. 

For instance, the "white"  T-shirts.  Kids love to wear those nice clean and pressed T-shirts.  But how many of them know that this is a street corner drug dealer's uniform?  If you see a whole lot of kids around a street corner and one of them was to commit a crime, how would you know who to identify?  They are all wearing the same style of  T-shirts.  This is done, purposely, so that the real criminal is hard to identify.  So, when all of them start to run, no one will be able to see who went wear.  Should T-shirts be ban also?  No, of course not.  The public just needs to be more educated about the different styles of fashion for kids and where they originated from. 

Another domestic violence case has hit the news, recently.  This time, it involves a  well known evangelist, who have preached about women empowerment. 

I posted a previous blog about domestic violence.  And I'm still amazed at how many cases of domestic violence are reported on the news, yet it would appear that nothing is done to help fight against this deadly disease. 

I call domestic violence a "dis"- ease, simply because of how it affects not only the people whom are involved, but also the standing community around them.  And a lot of times, domestic violence even includes and affects children.  And this is why it is such a deadly disease.  

Domestic violence has killed more people, including women and children, than HIV/AIDS, cancer and some of the other leading causes of death, all combined.  What can be done to really study and cure this deadly disease?     

How do we stand, as citizens of the United States, and continue to deal with blatant racism?  Is it because no one dares to talk about it?  Is it because racism is such a difficult subject to stay focused on?  Or is it because "We, the people" of the United States of America have such a strong history with ignorance, that it has become  standard practice to continue to allow a cancer, such as racism, to penetrate our commonwealth?  

These are my feelings about the situation in Jena, La.  Whether some of you may know or care to know, this is where six African-American students are charged with attempted murder and conspiracy, after a fight with a Caucasian student.  One student has already been convicted, by an all White jury and Judge, and was sentenced to 22 years in prison.  But why is this racism?  

Well, what lead up to the fight is the story that's not being told.  Jena, La. has been a hot bed of ignorance for some time now.  The night of that fight was only the conclusion to an already mixed opinion about race.  No, it's not the 1960's.  It's 2007.  And people are still stuck on stupid about ethnicity.  And the thing that really boils me about racism, is that it's a sickness that is taught.  

No one is born a racist or even knowing their ethnicity.  Those things are learned from the nature of society, the justice system, the media, the entertainment industry and those of close acquaintances.    So, it's no wonder that ignorance really does breed ignorance.  But why is it that the United States prides itself as being the best country in the world, yet it would appear that we can't even get along with our fellow man?  

Racism?  Are you serious?  I mean, how dysfunctional does a country have to be to still have issues concerning ethnicity?  It is a shame before all creations of God.  Because many of us go day by day, nursing those prejudice cogitated ideas about other ethnic groups, and dare to stand before God and say, "I love my neighbor". 

Now, the situation down in Jena, La. is truly a tragedy.  Not just because of the six students that are on trial for attempted murder, but for the entire community and justice system, that has allowed this cataclysm of stupidity to take form.  It becomes a different science, when we try to figure out why we, as United States citizens, continue to promote small ideas of racism, just so that we can remain divided among our neighbors.  

When will it end?     

What is Genarlow Wilson innocent of?  Why all of the protest?

From what I understood about the case, he had sex with another teenager, who was unconscious, at the time, and didn't know what was going on with her.  She has even testified that she didn't remember what had happened that evening.  So, that only brings me to the question, "What is Genarlow Wilson innocent of?"  

Does the punishment of ten years in prison fit the crime?  Well, that would depend on who you asks.  However, should the courts take in consideration that Mr. Wilson was only seventeen years of age, at the time of incident?  Again, that would depend on who you asks.  Yet, I'm inclined to think that most of the protests are more politically motivated, rather than trying to find justice.  

Genarlow Wilson, though not by himself, did commit a crime of rape, when he choose to sexually assault the unconscious teenaged girls.  The fact that she was unconscious proves that the sex was not consensual.  Though the motive or reasons why she was at the hotel might have been understood, when she became unconscious, she forfeited any reasons of agreeing to have sex with the other teenage boys.  Therefore, any touching, kissing and even intercourse would deem to be greatly inappropriate and even criminal.  But there again, the real debate is about the punishment and not the crime.  How do you convict a teenager?

Well, the biggest question is, was Genarlow Wilson tried as an adult?  If he was not, then a ten year sentence would be greatly unjust.  But if he was, then that is the debate that should be the main focus of the case.  Depending on what grounds and context which Mr. Wilson was tried and convicted, that should be the determining factor of his sentencing.  The factor that Genarlow Wilson is an African-American man should not be a reason for the protests.  And I'm not saying that it is.  However, those kinds of arguements are what really take the real focus off of the case.  

Yes, it is a proven fact that African-American men are most likely to be convicted of crimes, as oppose to Caucasians men and even Hispanic men.  And it is also a proven fact that a lot of those convictions are actually wrong.  But how do you convict a teenager who raped another teenager?  And why is this case wrong, if the sentencing is not apropos of the crime commited?  Should Genarlow Wilson stay in jail?  

There has to be a compromise here.  Because if he is set free, without any conditions, then it would say to the state that they had no case against Mr. Wilson. And if that is the case, then how can they try similar cases?  Because I'm pretty sure that this isn't the last case of rape, where teenagers are involved.  So, how can those cases be tried differently, as oppose to the circumstances of this case?  

We have to take ethnicity and race out of the case and look at the facts of the case.  Does Genarlow Wilson know what he is convicted of?  Does he really understand the matters of this case and the debate itself?  But not just Mr. Wilson, does society know the real matters of this case?  Now, I understand asking the judge to reconsider the courts previous conviction, because of Mr. Wilson's age, at the time of the crime.  But don't go to court and say that Mr. Wilson is innocent.  Because if he is innocent of the crime of rape, then every other teenager, who might do the same thing are also innocent.  There has to be some kind of compromise, so that justice can be understood on both sides of the arguement.  

What's next for Genarlow Wilson?  News at 10.  Only on Fox 5 Atlanta.  Stay tune.          

Is China seriously trying to poison the United States?  First, it was the dog foods, then it was some seafoods and even toys.  And now it's tires?  Why is the U.S. in such a debacle in international trades with China? 

Well, I shouldn't say debacle.  But it would appear that China has been catching some not so good news about the cargo that is shipped to the U.S.  And with the recent commercial ads, claiming that Wal-Mart is buying products from China, only to have China send military arms to Afghanistan, with the money made from Wal-Mart; only to have Afghan soilders use those arms to kill Americans soilders; this really doesn't sound like a friendly way of doing business. 

So, what should be done about the international trade with China?  How can the U.S. bring back the great seal of being "Genuine American Made"?  Has the Bush administration turned a blind eye on international trade with China and the government standards that we hold on their products?      

If I was a betting man, I would say that domestic violence has killed more people than HIV/AIDS, cancer and some of the leading causes of death; all combined.

In the recents stories about the death of Chris Benoit, his wife and child, the two teens shot and killed at Greenbriar Mall by an estranged boyfriend; the story about the death of the church secretary, who was killed by her boyfriend, the police office, who was caught up in a love triangle, who also killed his lover's husband; and even the case that made national news, with the death of the pregnant mother, who was killed by her boyfriend; are all cases of an epidemic that has been greatly overlooked. 

In my opinion, domestic violence is a very serious disease.  And if I could put a more medical definition towards this disease, it would definite be caused by an acute chronic repulsive anemia, brought on by a zealous yearning.  Or just plain "CRAZY" for short.  And I don't mean to sound facetious, when I say that, because this is a serious issue.  Domestic violence, itself, is a disease that has been greatly misjudged.  Because it just doesn't effect the people who are involved, it also effects the families of the victims, as well as the abuser.  But most importantly, domestic violence also claims innocent victims, not even involved in the violence.  Children and an entire community are also effected.   

This is an epidemic that has caused great long suffering throughtout society.  And it's about time that society start noticing the signs of an abuser and also the victims, themselves.  But most importantly, what to do when those signs are noticed and proven true.  Because so often, many victims do go back to their abusers.  And by the time that anyone does noticed something or says something, it's way far too late.

Society can not remain dormant, while this epidemic claims more lives.  It is an issue that I feel does warrant congressional hearings and also professional medical attention.  If we sit and do nothing, then we're basically making domestic violence a very powerful silent killer.  Which is very ironic, since most of the cases, involving domestic violences, are more violent than silent.  This is an issues and a disease that I hope will get the much needed attention that it so seriously needs. 

This is my opinon.  In your opinion, what can be done to curb and even prevent domestic violence?