you're Cool as Ice

No doubt about it — you've got things under control. A thinker and a planner, you usually don't jump into anything without a plan to get in and a plan to get out. It's pretty safe to assume that you're the brainiac of your friends, and they turn to you when they need someone to take the lead.You're full of good ideas, and you've got the ability to execute them. You're also especially skilled at letting your head rule your heart. There's nothing you won't accomplish if you set your mind to it. Now that's cool.

Daily extended (by Astrology.com)It's a brave, brave soul who tries to put one over on you -- and a foolhardy one. You have absolutely no patience with liars, and you've never been afraid to tell them just that. So when someone tries to lie to you now, you won't take kindly to it, and you won't simply keep your feelings to yourself. Do the kind thing: Let them know all that before they open their mouth.

As I sit here this morning I think about the politicians, how do I get the chance to tell them this?

This evening I was looking at my email and got this:

The last time I checked, it was 2005. But incredibly, in as many as 20 states, pharmacies can refuse to fill women's prescriptions for something as fundamental as birth control. Is this progress? Take action: http://www.care2.com/go/z/23522
I applaude those who have faith, but not filling a perscription isn't something that faith has any part. When you take your oath as a healer it's to do no harm and not filling some scripts is causing harm. That does include Birth Control. You don't know why the doctor has perscribed it and it does get used for more then preventing unwanted pregancies.

This is what I put in for my signing this petition. I don't believe that others should press their beliefs on me or anyone else. Not giving all prescriptions to a patient is harmful to that patient.

Ok so which idiot politician or fundie is going to piss me off today?

Scorpio
Daily extended (by Astrology.com)Oh, here we go. Someone who obviously doesn't know you -- or doesn't know how close they can come to trouble with a few badly placed words -- has decided to push your buttons. Just to see what will happen. After they manage to close their mouth, and they see what happened, they'll probably want to apologize. Whether or not you allow them to is up to you. But it would be generous, at this point. -

You know with all the stupidity going on with our "Elected Officaials", judges, big businesses I could be foaming at the mouth for years to come.
Microsoft is loosing money for their stupidity and as soon as I can afford I will be dropping all the ms. products that I have. They don't deserve my money anymore.

AMERICANS UNITED REPORT DETAILS INSTANCES OF RELIGIOUS FAVORITISM AT U.S. AIR FORCE ACADEMYWatchdog Group Asks Rumsfeld, Air Force Officials, To Correct Problems
Americans United for Separation of Church and State today asked Secretary of Defense Donald Rumsfeld and other military officials to move quickly to stop acts of religious bias at the U.S. Air Force Academy in Colorado Springs.Recent news accounts have chronicled allegations that Academy staff have promoted evangelical Christianity and that cadets of other faiths have been the victims of religious bias.Attorneys with Americans United have been investigating the complaints and today released a detailed report backing up the assertions. A copy of the report was sent to Rumsfeld and other military officials."The right to worship or not worship as the individual sees fit is a cornerstone of American life," said the Rev. Barry W. Lynn, executive director of Americans United. "All branches of our military must respect, not denigrate, this vital principle."In a cover letter to Rumsfeld, Lynn wrote, "A soldier's religious beliefs or lack thereof should be irrelevant to his or her ability and willingness to defend the country. The situation at the Air Force Academy sends exactly the opposite message. The close relationship between the Academy and evangelical Christianity sends a message of exclusion to those of other faiths. It may very well dissuade some from considering the military as a career."The Lynn letter urged Rumsfeld "to take the steps to correct these problems and ensure that the Academy is open to cadets of all religious faiths and those with none."Incidents detailed in the report include:* Complaints that an Academy chaplain exhorted cadets to witness to non-Christians cadets and bring them to evangelical services.* Allegations that Academy instructors proselytized in classrooms; in one instance, an instructor ordered cadets to pray before taking a test.* Assertions that senior cadets harassed non-Christian junior cadets over their religious beliefs.* Complaints that evangelical cadets are routinely given passes to attend religious meetings off campus but that cadets wishing to attend meetings of non-believers were denied the same right.Americans United asserts that these incidents and others, as detailed in the report, have created an atmosphere that is hostile toward cadets who do not share an evangelical Christian faith. The group has urged Rumsfeld and other military officials to act promptly to correct the problems.
Americans United is a religious liberty watchdog group based in Washington, D.C. Founded in 1947, the organization educates Americans about the importance of church-state separation in safeguarding religious freedom.News Updates from Citizens for Legitimate Government28 April 2005http://www.legitgov.org/
http://legitgov.org/index.html#breaking_news
Exxon Mobil posts 44% jump in profits 29 April 2005 --Exxon Mobil Corp, the world's largest publicly traded oil company, has said that first-quarter earnings soared 44 per cent from last year, due mainly to strong crude and natural gas prices.
Exxon Mobil, Shell Profits Soar as Energy Prices Rise --Exxon Mobil Corp., the world's largest publicly traded oil company [and Bush paymaster], posted a 44 percent profit gain and Royal Dutch/Shell Group had a 28 percent increase due to the prices of energy and chemicals. First-quarter net income at Exxon Mobil jumped to $7.86 billion, or $1.22 a share, from $5.44 billion, or 83 cents, a year earlier, the Irving, Texas-based company said today in a statement. Shell said its profit excluding gains in the value of oil in storage rose to $5.55 billion from $4.33 billion.

Yep and we the people have to pay more to get what we need. While they sit on their asses and just take the money.
The good news is:
"Extinct" Ivory-Billed Woodpecker Rediscovered
The majestic, but mysterious ivory-billed woodpecker was thought by many to have gone extinct more than 60 years ago. Conservationists now have compelling evidence that this beautiful bird still lives on the Cache River National Wildlife Refuge in Arkansas.
Jamie Rappaport Clark, Defenders of Wildlife's Executive Vice President, stated: "Today's compelling evidence of ivory-billed woodpeckers in protected land near the Cache River National Wildlife Refuge in Arkansas is cause for celebration, and for reflection on what we've done right to protect the land that has been a hidden home to these mysterious birds for decades. Today, the importance of our National Wildlife Refuge System gained new meaning as our efforts to protect one of America's wild places yielded a true miracle of nature." For Rappaport Clark's full statement, go to: http://www.defenders.org/releases/pr2005/pr042805.html
The ivory-billed woodpecker is the largest and rarest woodpecker in the United States. It is distinguished by its large size (18-20 inches in length), a crest (red in males, black in females), ivory-colored bill, and large amount of white on its wings. Historically, it inhabited lowland forests from eastern Texas to North Carolina, including much of the Mississippi delta area.
For more information on the ivory-billed woodpecker, go to:
http://www.defenders.org/wildlife/birds/04/ivorybill.html

so now back to the news of the stupid:

President Bush on April 28 2005 proposed reshaping Social Security by limiting the growth in future benefits for wealthier Americans and protecting the benefits of low-income workers. Hoping to jump-start negotiations with lawmakers and win over skeptical Americans, Bush also proposed that 'future generations receive benefits equal to or greater than the benefits today's seniors get.'
The rest of the rant tomorrow or over the weekend.

REJECT FEDERAL APPEALS COURT NOMINATION

AMERICANS UNITED URGES SENATE JUDICIARY COMMITTEE TO Lynn Says Nominee William Pryor Holds Extreme Views On Separation Of Church And State
Americans United for Separation of Church and State today urged the Senate Judiciary Committee to vote down the nomination of former Alabama Attorney General William Pryor to a federal appeals court seat."Time and again, William Pryor has expressed disdain for the First Amendment principle of church-state separation," said the Rev. Barry W. Lynn, Americans United executive director. "Pryor's battle against the church-state wall and other fundamental rights makes him a profoundly poor choice for an appointment to the federal appeals court bench."William Pryor may be the Religious Right's dream nominee, but he's everyone else's nightmare," Lynn said. "The Judiciary Committee should reject his nomination."Pryor was nominated to the 11th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals during President George W. Bush's first term. A filibuster blocked the nomination, but during a 2004 Senate recess, Bush granted Pryor a temporary appointment to the court. Earlier this year, Bush renominated him for a seat on the 11th Circuit. The Senate Judiciary Committee is scheduled to vote on Pryor's nomination during an executive meeting tomorrow morning. Americans United, among an array of other public interest groups, has fought Pryor's nomination, charging that the nominee wants to rollback federal court precedent that has advanced and protected a host of civil liberties.In 2003, Americans United issued a report on Pryor's views. It noted that Pryor has backed the display of religious symbols in government buildings, has stated that religion and politics "need to be intertwined" and once asserted that the executive branch of government "does not have to implement [court] rulings with which it disagrees."Lynn urged Bush to stop pushing Religious Right ideologues for federal bench appointments and instead send the Senate judicial nominees with the temperament to preside over controversial cases and rule according to constitutional precepts.
Americans United is a religious liberty watchdog group based in Washington, D.C. Founded in 1947, the organization educates Americans about the importance of church-state separation in safeguarding religious freedom.
If you received this message from a friend, sign up for AU email alerts.
If you are a member of Americans United, thank you. To help Americans United by funding our work, please join AU or renew your membership today by visiting our secure online gift center.
Update your profile to receive information on church-state activity in your state.
Beth CorbinNational Field Director
Americans United for Separation of Church and State518 C Street, NEWashington, DC 20002
202-466-3234 telephone202-466-2587 faxcorbin@au.orgAUcorbin@aol.com

I got the first one of these from an individual in the Planet Out News boards. These are something I agree with and the ones I agree with the most will find their way here with my little bit added at the end, like this.
This is just one more nail in the coffin of real people, humane people, people who work hard to have their little slice of the american pie. Freedom to have their own beliefs, freedom to love their partner whoever that person is or what they do in life. The poor pitifull "christain right" will boo-hoo to the ends of the earth how downtrodden they are, yet all the while trampling all over those who do not agree with them. How can moderate people out there let them get away with this kind of thing? .
I'm still wondering.

your vibe is Violet Vamp

Have people ever said that you see things just a little differently? That you've got your own way of doing things? Well they were right. That's why your vibe is violet vamp — a strong and wild combination that always leaves a lasting impression.You've got a mind of your own and you're not afraid to let the world know what you think...usually as soon as you think it. This makes people trust your opinion and want to follow your lead. But we know that a wild child like you will always stay two steps ahead of the crowd. And when you are, don't look back!

This is through the tickle bunch. I thought it was amusing and something to chuckle about before I start in on politicians and religious idiots again.

The Game is called Bat the Troll

http://world.std.com/~Infinity/rightloop/clique.htm


THE DR. BREW LECTURE

Good morning, students. Today I am going to outline an exciting new aspect of theoretical physics. It concerns the behaviour of particles when interacting with Neusgroupinos: also called TANTRUM MECHANICS. This is CLIQUE theory.The particle in question is officially called the T+ particle, but is known colloquially as the Troll. Trolls often come in bonded pairs, the troll and the antitroll. These pairs behave oddly: sometimes reinforcing one another, sometimes cancelling each other out. Occasionally a troll loses its antitroll partner and can then behave quite unpredictably, according to the rules of chaos: firing off random quarks (known as "posts") in an attempt to bond with a new antitroll. The existence of trolls was first proved by Hans Akrosstheocean in his famous "double-prat experiment", or the "experiment with two morons". Trolls, whether bonded to antitrolls or not, also interact with neusgroupinos. Neusgroupinos are stable hadrons with a tendency to resist interaction with trolls. As far as the troll is concerned, this resistance comes about through the neusgroupino's outer shell, or CLIQUE (I will explain the etymology of this term later). CLIQUEs are generally impervious to trolls, unless the troll has a particular "spin" that conforms to the already-existing structure of the neusgroupino. Most trolls possess either "top" or "bottom" spin as well as other "strange" or "charmed" characteristics. For instance, a given neusgroupino may interact with "charmed, bottom" trolls, but not "strange, top" ones. If a CLIQUE resists interaction with the troll, this can again cause unpredictable activity. The troll may fire off quark/posts in an attempt to break down the integrity of the neusgropino. These bursts of activity do not last long. Eventually, the troll decays, although many are more persistent than others. However, I have not yet touched upon the most interesting part of this theory at all, the element that reveals the central mystery of Tantrum Mechanics. It is this: _the CLIQUE only exists from the "perspective" of the troll_. From within the neusgroupino, particles are free to come and go. Indeed, the "outer shell", the perceived CLIQUE, is not a unified, integral and impervious entity at all. Many particles are quite free to interact with the neusgroupino, regardless of spin, as long as they do not take on the specific characteristics of the troll. It is impossible to state with certainty whether or not a given particle internal to the neusgroupino is in this outer shell at any given time or not. This is known as _Wilkinson's Uncertainty Principle_.
Hence the derivation of the term CLIQUE: an acronym for CLearly Imaginary QUantum Entity

Let me tell you the trolls in the Planet Out News Boards need lots of batting.

Finally a Republican does something I agree with...

Thank you for contacting my office regarding a national identificationsystem. I always appreciate hearing the views of my fellow Kansans. In past years, I have opposed the creation of a national identificationcard, and I continue to oppose the creation of a such a system. As problematic as illegal immigration is, it does not justify creating asystem involving 100 percent of Americans in an effort to identify the 1.5percent who live in the U.S. illegally. More importantly, I believe national identification systems represent a clear increase in governmental control in the daily lives of all Kansas businesses, families and workers. Government intrusiveness in our lives should be reduced, not increased. I want you to know that I have not and I will not support any legislation that contains such a proposal. We should, however, take steps to ensure the safety of our homeland.Therefore, last Congress I introduced the Enhanced Border Security andVisa Entry Reform Act, a bipartisan piece of legislation that directs theState Department and Immigration and Naturalization Service to examine, expand, and enhance screening procedures outside the United States. This legislation provides special training to border patrol agents, inspectors,and consular officers to better identify terrorists and security threats to the United States. Moreover, this legislation increases scrutiny on certain classes of aliens that raise security concerns for our country, such as foreign students and nationals from states that sponsor terrorism. The goal of this legislation is to intercept security threats long before they reach our borders. Following the Enhanced Border Security and VisaEntry Reform Act's passage by the Congress without a single dissenting vote, the President signed this bill into law on May 14, 2002. Again, thank you for contacting me. I encourage you to visit my websiteat <http://www.senate.gov/~brownback> for additional information on this and other issues on which I am working. Please do not hesitate to contact me in the future. Sincerely, Sam Brownback United States Senator SB:rs

This is a good thing as things go... now if we can just get them to get their heads out of other places and do the right things in other ways.
Such as new renewable resources to take the place of oil, not allowing any religion to step on others to get their way.

Cute Test

created by whitewolfjmi
To create your own quiz, click here
You scored as Shamanic Pagan.
A shamanic pagan's roots are generally found in Native American faith. A true love and respect for the earth and all that it yields is central to their faith. Wisdom is most often found in spirit guides or totems, who can be animals, ancestors, or spirits. Pagans who follow this path tend to be far more aware of the delicate web that interweaves the lives of every person and thus move within that web accordingly. They're usually deeply insightful, friendly, loving people and excellent friends and parents. Mysterious and strong, as well, they are often the protectors of their friends and family as well as the moral compass for their friends and loved ones.
var img_str1="";
var result_str1="";
Shamanic Pagan
100%
Ecclectic Pagan
65%
Eastern Pagan
50%
Egyptian Pantheonic Pagan
40%
Celtic Pantheonic Pagan
40%
Roman Pantheonic Pagan
35%
Zoroastrian Pagan
35%
Kabbalistic Pagan
25%
Sumerian, Babylonian, and Mesopotamian Pagans
20%
Norse Pantheonic Pagan (Asatru)
20%
Greek Pantheonic Pagan
15%
Catholic (Pagan?)
0%


Deffinately a cute test.

The Forming of an Activist

My Unitarian Jihad Name is: Sister Divine Cattle Prod of Engaged Rationality. What's yours?


Scorpio
Daily extended (by Astrology.com)You've been trying to figure out what that feeling is all day. You woke up with it this morning and you just can't shake it. Well, don't be surprised if you realize that it's quite familiar to you. It's called passion, and it doesn't just apply to someone you find seriously attractive. There are all kinds of passion. You're experiencing the whole range, and you'll keep feeling it all day long. Use this gift wisely.


Your mind is apt to be challenged, dear Scorpio, by a strong force that is calling on you to lift off the ground and take flight. More than likely there is a strong person or situation that enters the scene today to remind you of the importance of the imagination. Don't get so fixed in your position that you fail to see the benefits of other ways of looking at the same thing.

Two different sites for the day's reading but both accurate and full of meaning to me.
This is one of the posts one a news board that I wander to :


Re: What KILLS me is........by: boytjie_ny (47/M/Brooklyn, NY)
04/11/05 10:25 amMsg: 109 of 114
Can anybody tell me *why*???
=================
Because gays having sex cause:
- people to cut pregnant women's stomach's open to steal their babies
- parents to tie rocks to themselves and their children and jumping in lakes
- children to shoot up schools full of people
- misfits to bomb total strangers for no good reason
- no end to the number of people out on the street who would kill you as soon as look at you
- the National Debt skyrocketing back up there
- war in the Middle East- people to starve
- horrible incurable diseases
It also causes:
- Boy Scout employees to collect kiddie porn
- men to abduct, rape and murder little girls
- the intelligence agencies to make up lies about WMDs
- GWB to fall of his bicyle
- GWB to choke on a pretzel
- Michael Schiavo to murder his wife
- the pope to die
- tsunamies and earthquakes in the Pacific region
- New York subways to flood
- New Jersey house to flood
- hurricanes in Florida
- and this just in: an April snow storm in Denver
It's really quite simple, isn't it? Get rid of gay sex and solve all the problems in the world!

boytjie is an interesting individual and I like his posts.

This fits in with me becoming an activist because I am lesbian, because I am tired of all the above things being charged to the gay/lesbian/trans community as a whole by scared little children.

This country is in deep shit and it's not because of the GLBT Community, it's because of the religicons that are in political office right now. The ones who think the judges are out of control because they are doing their job. They are the ones who want to push their religious "ways" on everyone else. When so many of us are not of "their" faith.
We have troops in a country fighting a "war" that we should never be in, and before you slam me for not supporting the troops: I am a Viet Nam Era Vet.
I was home on leave before going to Germany when I watched the fall of Siagon on tv.
I have no problem with our troops, I send my love to them in my prayers everyday.
I am speaking out because I am tired of the prejudice of the religicons to everything that isn't a part of "their" bible which has been retranslated so many times that the original terms and meanings are all a jumble.

The Storm Cloud

The Storm Cloud wakes from a long sleep.
The Storm Cloud see the hurt and harm
coming to this world of hers.
The Storm Cloud stirs building the steam,
energy to speak out.
The Storm Cloud soon will be thundering,
lightning all over the unholy of the "holy
people"
Their ways are not everyone's ways.
They have lost respect.
The Storm Cloud is here and will not be
chased away.

More later, as I have a few more things to put together.

Last Monday Night

I went to a community concert. It was produced in association with:
the Anne Garvey Foundation, Equality Kansas, Stage One and Cabaret Oldtown.
It was called Diversity Speaks
It was Monday April 4th the night before the vote about the amendment to ban gay marriages.
These people are not all gay, but they stand with the gay people in hopes that one day the bigots will be for the most part neutralized in our world. Then we will have better lives, I'm not looking for perfect, because that doesn't exsist, but one where there is not so much fighting and hate.

Write in my blog about tonight
Write in my blog about our fight
Write in my blog about all the faces
I will write in my blog about all the
songs
The voices of all the singers was truely impressive. The singers/songs were:
Trisha Garnes - Blue Corn Moon - Pocahontas
Jeff Whitlock - It Will Come
Eric Haag - I Can't Sit Still
Barb Schoenhofer - What is a Woman
Stephen Craig Barker - Our Love is Here to Stay
Cary Hessse - Hold On(It's this day)
Dick Welsbacher - All things are connected - this wasn't a song, but a reading of one of the Great Cheifs of the First Nation
Shawn-Michael Morse - What do You Leave Your Child
Heart of America Mens Chorus - The Music of The People
There was a womens band there too and they have an amusing name it's
Women Without Purses

It brought back the early days in Minnesota to me, with the petitions and the pins and all the things that marked that a "war" was being staged between thinking people and the church sheeple. We didn't end up with marriage rights, but we did atleast have domestic partners in Minneapolis. A step, small as it may be still a step. Also very good hate crime laws that work for all the public.

Days Reminisant

How this brings back Minnesota's early days
When I wore my button for equil rights in
Saint Paul
Against those who would vote to put prejudice
into Saint Paul's laws.
How I remember
The candle light marches durring Gay Pride
in the 80's
Old faces, young faces all standing together to
make things right and to keep harm from
many doors.

And here my friends is just another small chapter in the life of this wondering, wandering poet.

Kansas: A Bigots Heaven

I'm sorry if I hurt "good"peoples feeling with this post, but I know now just what kind of bigoted state I live in. All the good people I spoke to, how many of you voted? How many of you are really seeing what is happening? The Religious Right, the ones who say you have to believe like we do or you are evil. Have now shown us; the rest of the state that they can put hate into the State Consitution. They can make hate so easy, so scary to the ordinary person that you automatically fall into line. Just like a good little sheeple. Do you understand now that the amendment you voted for weakens protection when it comes to Domestic Abuse because the couple isn't married? Just living together doesn't mean a thing anymore. Even if you are Heterosexual you don't have protection unless you are MARRIED. So women remember if you want your abusive boyfriend that you JUST LIVE WITH to face severe charges for abuse you have to marry him first. Otherwise it's just assault and is a misdomeener not a felony charge like it was before. Course if you don't mind ending up in the hospital or dead go ahead, marry him then turn him in, if you can.
I cried my tears for this state and this country earlier. Becareful "good" people because if the Religious Right people can demonize one small segment of "Our great Society" so much, just what will they do to the Pagan/Wiccan Groups. What will they do to the Jewish, the Catholic, the anyother groups of religion that is not the same as they. They claim Christian, but I know many Christians who would not do any of the things they do.
I am afraid for this country, I am afraid we will end up being the copy of Nazi, Gemany of the 30's, I am afraid that we, this country will end up the new third world. You laugh, you think what I have written is funny, go back and read your history books that tell of the fall of feudal Germany to the war mongering, hate filled country it was under Hitler. You are right Bush isn't Hitler, but there are many in his cabnet, his cronies that could be, would be if given the chance.

After Face the Nation Rant too

No the court isn't being arrogant. No the court is doing it's job, not allowing the government to be in a private battle in a person's life. Who are you Newt Gingrich that you can come in and say what a husband can do concerning his wife's life. If what Terri had was "life" and not just existance. You are being just as bad as Joe Lieberman over the fact that the poor woman wasn't living a real life.
All of you "Religious People" forget what he (the husband) had done for Terri out of his own money before the settlements. The trip to California to put electrical implants in her brain to help promote healing that never happened. All the money he got is gone to take care of her and her needs, not to himself.
Unlike her parents who had a "fund" going to fight to keep her alive.
You of the religious right seem to believe we non religious right see everything the same way and we don't. We delight in being individuals, not sheeple. We like to see ourselves as thinking, loving beings and even when we are angry we allow for others to be themselves.
Honestly I am for the death penalty, choice and "they " say that the left is for abortion, but not the death penalty. So where am I ? I am someone who is more left then centerist, but not so radical that I don't atleast see the other side of things.
Thanks now to Mrs. Shiavo we have all learned the importance of a living will.... and so I say here and now and will write this for my family as well. No heroic mesures, no tubes, no machines. If it looks like I will not be able to live, I mean really live, do things, read, know what is going on around me and to me... then let me die. I don't want to exsist, to exsist is less then life to me.