"Court Case Friday" and "Commentary" Asset Forfeiture Laws The illegal drug trade is massive. The value of the drug trade in the U.S. is over $300 billion each year. The international drug trade brings in about $36 trillion per year. Drug cartel leaders are billionaires. Asset forfeiture laws allow law enforcement to confiscate the homes, … Continue reading Law Enforcement Asset Forfeiture – The Corrupting Downside
"Saturday Stories" I grew up in an “orthodox” LDS home. My Dad taught, “You don’t have time to learn everything in this life, but you have time to learn obedience.” The closest I came to violating the Word of Wisdom was when I was seven years old. My neighborhood friends knew that I liked Nestles … Continue reading My First Lesson in Peer Pressure: A Nestles Quick Chocolate BEER Shake
"Court Case Friday" Religious Diets in Prison – The General Rules Traditionally, prisoners were considered "slaves of the state." They had no constitutional rights. Currently, inmates don’t forfeit their First Amendment rights to the Free Exercise of Religion. Prisons must make “reasonable accommodations” for religious practices and worship. However, a prisoner’s right to practice … Continue reading The “Wine and Porterhouse Steak” Prison Church
"Columbus Day" (“In 1492, Columbus sailed the ocean blue.”) For centuries, Christopher Columbus (1451-1506) has been revered and celebrated for his lasting contributions to humanity. Historians agree that Columbus was “a courageous and brilliant navigator and explorer during the age of European exploration.” “His voyages revealed two continents new to Europe and bridged the gap … Continue reading Judging Columbus – The “Columbus Exchange”
"Commentary" "American History" America is in desperate need of more statesmen and fewer politicians. The midterm elections are upon us. We have important choices to make. Will we elect more statesmen or more politicians? Statesmen versus Politicians Politicians know how to get elected. Statesmen know how to govern. Politicians think of the next election. Statesmen … Continue reading America needs more “Statesmen” and fewer “Politicians”
"Fun Facts" Handshaking is filthy Shaking hands is unsanitary. Handshakes spread germs. We carry 3,200 bacteria from 150 species on our hands. Research has shown that you spread more germs by shaking someone’s hand than you do by kissing the person. Handshaking can spread a host of diseases, like: Roman Coin with Handshake coldsfluCovid-19norovirusdiarrheasalmonellaE. coliscabies,conjunctivitishepatitis … Continue reading Handshakes – An Unsanitary Tradition
Commentary Sadly, racism and slavery have always existed, and tragically, they exist throughout the world today. An estimated 40 million people are enslaved today, primarily as slave laborers and sex slaves. I don’t believe racism/tribalism, which underlie slavery, is inherent in human nature. I believe it is taught and learned. And if it is learned, … Continue reading Percentages Do Not Prove Racism
“In Honor of Juneteenth” Destroying the Hopes and Dreams of Freed Slaves Forging compromises is an integral part of politics and governance. The Constitution and the Bill of Rights were the products of countless compromises. Some compromises are distasteful, like the 3/5 compromised in the Constitution. But the worst compromise in U.S. history is the … Continue reading How Freed Slaves and Their Posterity Were Denied the Right to Vote and Hold Public Office
America's Slaves Deserve to be Remembered and Honored In Honor of "Juneteenth" On June 19, 1865, the enslaved African Americans in Texas finally learned of emancipation. "Juneteenth" has become a federal holiday - "Juneteenth National Independence Day." It is also known as "Jubilee Day," "Emancipation Day," "Freedom Day," and "Black Independence Day." (My family attended … Continue reading Contributions of Enslaved African Americans
"Sunday Afternoon Sermon" For atheists, everything is physical. Nothing else exists beyond the physical universe. This materialist belief places on atheists the burden of explaining non-physical reality, like, the existence of: love, self-awareness, empathy, compassion, sacrifice, free will, morality, good and evil. How can physical matter create consciousness and self-awareness? How can the random accidental … Continue reading Existence of God and the Rise of Atheism #7 (Last Commentary): Beyond Mere Physical Reality – Love, Self-Awareness, Free Will, Conscience, Morality
The London Edition 