Softcore Voyeurism

Before I begin, I have to clarify that I understand it takes all kinds of people to make a society and I further understand that I have the option to change the channel, turn the idiot box off, go to another site or not read the article.  I'm not questioning whether choice exists, I'm questioning the choices made.

That being established, I still wonder what the appeal of these entertainment news and celebrity gossip shows have to such a large sector of the (American) population.  Do people want so badly to be famous (or infamous)?  I find it hard to believe that so many people lead such pathetic lives with such trivial interests.

Don't get me wrong; I enjoy watching TV and movies as much as anyone.  I've learned to recognize and appreciate good acting, good writing, good direction, etc.  But am I the only one for whom the interest stops there?  Personally, I don't care whether Britney Spears goes to rehab or gets married once a month.  Tiger Woods' sex life is his own business.  Sports figures and entertainers (redundant) private lives should stay that way.  Leave them alone to lead their lives as they see fit off camera providing they aren't harming someone else in the process.

 And on the subject of doing harm, don't start screaming 1st Amendment but I believe it should be illegal to take or publish photos of not only celebrities but anyone if those photos have the potential to cause harm to the person, their family, their business or their associates if the person has a reasonable expectation of privacy, such as when they are in their home or behind enclosures such as privacy fences on private property.  It would be illegal to climb a tree and look in someone's window or over their privacy fence without a camera; why do these so called photographers and paparazzi get a pass?

As always, money drives this activity.  People find celebrities private lives interesting and are willing to pay to get a glimpse of them.  Therein lies the problem.  The general population has so much spare time, money and energy to devote to such trivial interests that an industry has developed around it.  Entertainment Tonight, Extra, TMZ, to name a few, have tremendous ratings.  Entire television networks exist for the purpose of exploiting this softcore voyeurism.  It reminds me of a quote by Henry Louis Mencken:  "Nobody ever went broke underestimating the taste of the American public."

One Difference Between a Hillbilly and a Redneck

A redneck might live in a house that has plumbing that doesn't work and have to use an outhouse.

A hillbilly's house might not have plumbing but his outhouse certainly will.

Religious Persecution in America

I am very thankful for a non-religious up-bringing. I was raised to be a moral, kind and compassionate member of a community. I remember at about what age it became apparent to me that being raised outside of a church wasn't a normal thing in the part of the country I was raised.

In second grade, the teacher actually took an oral survey of what church each student attended with his/her family. She started at the opposite side of the room from where I sat so I listened as each kid dutifully (and knowledgeably) spouted off their affiliation. By time she got to me, all but one or two other kids had a church on record with the school. I saw the reaction to the kids who said they didn't go and decided I would adopt the church near my house. The church was named Yount Memorial Baptist Church. However, at seven years old and seeing the relatively small print on the sign, somehow I thought it said "Youth"; so that's what I said when it was my turn, "The Youth Church". The teacher didn't ask any questions, she just snarled her lip and said, in a most condescending tone, "That figures." I had no idea what that meant at the time but I did find out very soon that she didn't like the fact that I went to the "Youth Church". I was moved to the front of the room, scrutinized and ridiculed at most every opportunity. This same teacher even came to my desk and picked me up by the hair at one point.

Now, prior to this, I had had a promising academic career. I was the only child in my kindergarten class who knew how to read on the first day of school. I could count as high as needed, knew all my letters, both upper and lower case and could write them as well. I was a star pupil. In first grade, I was actually moved up to fourth grade for a week because I was so far ahead of the other students. They moved me back for several reasons. First, big distraction to the fourth graders. Second, I was able to conceptualize at their level just fine but was unable to complete work at the necessary speed. I was just thrown in with no coaching, no briefing, no instruction as to what was happening. They just put me at the back of the fourth grade classroom and I was supposed to take it from there. It didn't work.

If only it had. The next year proved to be a crossroad in my life. I went from being confident eager to learn to being one of the "bad kids". I still haven't figured out how I managed to get poor grades when I was doing the work correctly. I have always been a good speller but that year I actually got D's in spelling. This can only be the result of grade tampering by the teacher. My parents missed the clues and I didn't know there were any. Like any kid that age, I blamed myself, both for the bad grades and for the bad treatment I received. This was 1973. My life was changed for the worse because of religious persecution in America in 1973.

Our Bill Of Rights Unaltered and Uninterpreted

Amendment I
Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof; or abridging the freedom of speech, or of the press; or the right of the people peaceably to assemble, and to petition the Government for a redress of grievances.

Amendment II
A well regulated Militia, being necessary to the security of a free State, the right of the people to keep and bear Arms, shall not be infringed.

Amendment III
No Soldier shall, in time of peace be quartered in any house, without the consent of the Owner, nor in time of war, but in a manner to be prescribed by law.

Amendment IV
The right of the people to be secure in their persons, houses, papers, and effects, against unreasonable searches and seizures, shall not be violated, and no Warrants shall issue, but upon probable cause, supported by Oath or affirmation, and particularly describing the place to be searched, and the persons or things to be seized.

Amendment V
No person shall be held to answer for a capital, or otherwise infamous crime, unless on a presentment or indictment of a Grand Jury, except in cases arising in the land or naval forces, or in the Militia, when in actual service in time of War or public danger; nor shall any person be subject for the same offence to be twice put in jeopardy of life or limb, nor shall be compelled in any criminal case to be a witness against himself, nor be deprived of life, liberty, or property, without due process of law; nor shall private property be taken for public use, without just compensation.

Amendment VI
In all criminal prosecutions, the accused shall enjoy the right to a speedy and public trial, by an impartial jury of the State and district wherein the crime shall have been committed, which district shall have been previously ascertained by law, and to be informed of the nature and cause of the accusation; to be confronted with the witnesses against him; to have compulsory process for obtaining witnesses in his favor, and to have the Assistance of Counsel for his defence.

Amendment VII
In suits at common law, where the value in controversy shall exceed twenty dollars, the right of trial by jury shall be preserved, and no fact tried by a jury shall be otherwise re-examined in any Court of the United States, than according to the rules of the common law.

Amendment VIII
Excessive bail shall not be required, nor excessive fines imposed, nor cruel and unusual punishments inflicted.

Amendment IX
The enumeration in the Constitution, of certain rights, shall not be construed to deny or disparage others retained by the people.

Amendment X
The powers not delegated to the United States by the Constitution, nor prohibited by it to the States, are reserved to the States respectively, or to the people.

Tax Churches On Their Income and Real Estate/Property

Churches should be taxed the same as any other business. I say "any OTHER" because to call a church anything other than a business would be wrong.

And no, the first amendment to the constitution does not prohibit taxing churches. I challenge anyone to show a valid legal argument against this.