In my last post I described a situation in Saudi Arabia... a modern day witch-hunt that is truly mind boggling!
But on the other hand... in Pakistan, two brothers were recently sentenced and found guilty of a crime that is equally upsetting. According to the news - I can't remember which one since the whole thing was so disgusting - the cousin of a young woman in Pakistan wanted to marry this girl, but the family said "no". This upset the cousin. A lot! So much so he got together with his brother and kidnapped the girl. They cut off her nose and ears as revenge towards the family. Obviously no love involved in this story, just principle.
And I hate to admit it but the brothers were found guilty, and sentenced to 50 years in prison, and to have their own noses and ears cut off. I find myself in agreement... how the young woman suffered and will suffer the rest of her life.
Unfortunately, whereas in Saudi Arabia where sorcery is pretty much a crime with no appeals, the brothers in Pakistan will most likely appeal, and get off with a much lighter sentence. In other words... they'll be able to keep their body parts, and may only pay a fine.
After all... women in many countries of the world are considered subservient to men. They merely have to say, "it was a misunderstanding". The "girl's family was dishonorable in refusing the daughter's hand in marriage" to the cousin.
Hey, I'm open-minded, but I have a great deal of difficulty understanding all this... the story is a bad one, but that's the way it is.
How long before human beings become civilized?
December 23, 2009
December 21, 2009
SORCERY IN SAUDI ARABIA - The Punishment? DEATH!
The news today on my long commute back home... on NPR (National Public Radio), this tidbit of news:
The Religious Police in Saudi Arabia are rounding up sorcerers. You know, those who talk to spirits, read books about spirits, witchcraft, anything supernatural. It's a serious modern day witch-hunt, and if you get caught, and sentenced, which is pretty much a sure thing, just as it was in this country and Europe in the 1600's, the sentence is death. An Egyptian doctor was recently executed, and that was just the beginning.
The law applies to anyone. I wouldn't plan my vacation there if you have the latest vampire novel, books on the occult, or even a Bible, the way it seems, Christianity could be construed as a belief in a false god. Because what it comes down to... is forcibly enforcing the believe in a god. I think it's time the UN sent Crusaders.
WIKIPEDIA: The Christian Crusaders: 1095AD - 1291AD
Why do we work with these governments? Like Saudi Arabia? Witch-hunts and executions? We don't work with Cuba... in my entire life we haven't... the answer...
OIL.
The Religious Police in Saudi Arabia are rounding up sorcerers. You know, those who talk to spirits, read books about spirits, witchcraft, anything supernatural. It's a serious modern day witch-hunt, and if you get caught, and sentenced, which is pretty much a sure thing, just as it was in this country and Europe in the 1600's, the sentence is death. An Egyptian doctor was recently executed, and that was just the beginning.
The law applies to anyone. I wouldn't plan my vacation there if you have the latest vampire novel, books on the occult, or even a Bible, the way it seems, Christianity could be construed as a belief in a false god. Because what it comes down to... is forcibly enforcing the believe in a god. I think it's time the UN sent Crusaders.
WIKIPEDIA: The Christian Crusaders: 1095AD - 1291AD
Why do we work with these governments? Like Saudi Arabia? Witch-hunts and executions? We don't work with Cuba... in my entire life we haven't... the answer...
OIL.
December 17, 2009
Pet's death leads to drug bust in Boscawen, NH
Information courtesy of the NH Union Leader, DEC. 16, 2009: Click the title of this post for a link to the Union Leader, at the upper left select DEC. 16, 2009.
** In my own words my take on this story:
Two citizen residents of the town of Boscawen, NH had a very sad start to their day. Their dog, was outside, strayed into the road and was hit and killed by a motorist. The police arrived, appeantly called by the motorist, and apparently came to the dog's owner informing them of the bad news. The officers entered the dog owner's house, and after the fact, according to the news article, say they smelled marijuana.
The short news is the two citizens are now under arrest, felony charges of "manufacturing marijuana" and "possession of firearms while committing a crime".
The police, having said "they smelled marijuana" got a judge to issue a search warrant, and so later that day the police returned to the house, en masse' no doubt, and searched the house. They found what appeared to be a personal growing operation - a refrigerator made into a grow lab, and other assorted personal growing equipment. They found 9 bags of marijuana, which could have been 9 bags containing a gram each, or 9 lbs, they don't say. Nor do they say the couple was in the act of selling drugs, but rather claim they suspect they were. They also found the owners had legal firearms - a shotgun and two handguns.
I suppose the same is true, given our fair legal system, that if a firearm is found during any criminal offense, be it DWI, an underage drinking party where parents of teens own guns, that guns are treated by the law as a criminal offense since they are in the area of the crime that has allegedly been committed.
This would be good, no?
I'm told every second someone in the US is a victim of a violent crime, and police are often strapped as to finding sufficient resources in giving such crimes the attention they need, so when I read about the time and the resources spent on this petty marijuana bust, I have to ask how does this pot bust make us safer and more secure?
As always - I don't encourage nor endorse the use of any drugs, be it cannabis, alcohol, tobacco, etc. I just wanted to share my friend John's message.
John Miller responded to the Union Leader story where I read this story and I wanted to share with you his comments:
If growing a plant like cannabis is considered "manufacturing drugs", then God is in big trouble. Ironically a certain Brig. General in Afghanistan admitted on the news tonight he's growing (aka, manufacturing) an opium poppy plant right in his office. I assume it's in a US military base, and like everything else, if you've got the power or money - you too can do it. Talk about guns!!! Lots of those around! He even laughed about it... and another generl asked if he dould take it to the states... so I have to ask, what kind of message is that sending for children?
Yes, as one commenter pointed out, cannabis/aka, marijuana is illegal because it's illegal, not because it's dangerous if used responsibly, which is much easier to accomplish than it is to drink alcohol or smoke tobacco responsibly.
Just like not everyone who uses cannabis are good, neither are all cops bad or to be mistrusted. Check out LEAP - Law Enforcement Against Prohibition.
My condolences for the death of your pet dog, and the consequences. I'm told there is a leash law in that town, so you might want to adopt a cat.
The politics of cannabis prohibition are ludicrous!
- John Miller, Bristol
** In my own words my take on this story:
Two citizen residents of the town of Boscawen, NH had a very sad start to their day. Their dog, was outside, strayed into the road and was hit and killed by a motorist. The police arrived, appeantly called by the motorist, and apparently came to the dog's owner informing them of the bad news. The officers entered the dog owner's house, and after the fact, according to the news article, say they smelled marijuana.
The short news is the two citizens are now under arrest, felony charges of "manufacturing marijuana" and "possession of firearms while committing a crime".
The police, having said "they smelled marijuana" got a judge to issue a search warrant, and so later that day the police returned to the house, en masse' no doubt, and searched the house. They found what appeared to be a personal growing operation - a refrigerator made into a grow lab, and other assorted personal growing equipment. They found 9 bags of marijuana, which could have been 9 bags containing a gram each, or 9 lbs, they don't say. Nor do they say the couple was in the act of selling drugs, but rather claim they suspect they were. They also found the owners had legal firearms - a shotgun and two handguns.
I suppose the same is true, given our fair legal system, that if a firearm is found during any criminal offense, be it DWI, an underage drinking party where parents of teens own guns, that guns are treated by the law as a criminal offense since they are in the area of the crime that has allegedly been committed.
This would be good, no?
I'm told every second someone in the US is a victim of a violent crime, and police are often strapped as to finding sufficient resources in giving such crimes the attention they need, so when I read about the time and the resources spent on this petty marijuana bust, I have to ask how does this pot bust make us safer and more secure?
As always - I don't encourage nor endorse the use of any drugs, be it cannabis, alcohol, tobacco, etc. I just wanted to share my friend John's message.
John Miller responded to the Union Leader story where I read this story and I wanted to share with you his comments:
If growing a plant like cannabis is considered "manufacturing drugs", then God is in big trouble. Ironically a certain Brig. General in Afghanistan admitted on the news tonight he's growing (aka, manufacturing) an opium poppy plant right in his office. I assume it's in a US military base, and like everything else, if you've got the power or money - you too can do it. Talk about guns!!! Lots of those around! He even laughed about it... and another generl asked if he dould take it to the states... so I have to ask, what kind of message is that sending for children?
Yes, as one commenter pointed out, cannabis/aka, marijuana is illegal because it's illegal, not because it's dangerous if used responsibly, which is much easier to accomplish than it is to drink alcohol or smoke tobacco responsibly.
Just like not everyone who uses cannabis are good, neither are all cops bad or to be mistrusted. Check out LEAP - Law Enforcement Against Prohibition.
My condolences for the death of your pet dog, and the consequences. I'm told there is a leash law in that town, so you might want to adopt a cat.
The politics of cannabis prohibition are ludicrous!
- John Miller, Bristol
December 07, 2009
Let's Party!!! Let's Play Safe!!!
The season to "party hardy" is upon us! Myself, honestly, I don't party like you might think. My partying is in front of a computer... as boring as that may sound, but I have had my life of partying and I wish to encourage all of you out there to party safe!
I don't encourage excessive drinking, or drugs, but realistically speaking, let's accept the fact they're out there. The customer's are lining up with shopping carts of alcoholic spirits and beverages, the cannabinoid vampires are getting their weed, and the hard drug users - well, maybe they'll consider backing off a bit and even maybe recognizing there is a limit to what us human beings can endure physically and seek help.
Over the years I've met pretty much all kinds of "drug users", from those who have self-control to those who have lost it. As I've said before, drunks scare me the most, but mostly because they feel free to terrorize the towns and highways.
The following are BobKat's harm reduction suggestions... maybe if just one person reads this and a injury is avoided/a life saved, it'll mean something, and make this post worthy of my efforts.
1) Don't drink alcohol or use recreational drugs and drive. Period!
I have a dear family friend who got in trouble! In a sense she was fortunate, in that, she and her new husband went to a party one night and they both got blind drunk. Although it was her husband's truck they left in, my friend decided to drive because HE was too drunk; but she was too! Being drunk causes stupidity, plain and simple. She was always the responsible one in the family... but that night, she made a BIG mistake thinking she'd be a better driver than her husband.
My friend was in school to be a registered nurse, and now she has a record: "aggravated DWI. He wasn't charged. Now she has no driver's license, has spent time in jail, and more.
Why didn't they call a cab??? Because they were drunk, and they felt fearless. That's alcohol, feeling fearless.
2) Cannabis use may seem safe - and I believe in many ways it is. But if you use cannabis, the opposite can happen... you can feel fearful, especially on the highway. Someone who has never used cannabis prior to the day they do, are especially vulnerable, as they have no experience with the effects of cannabis. Stay put if you're high... take a long walk, unless it's dangerous outside. But just because you may have experience doesn't mean you're prepared for the unexpected. Cannabis is a herb to use when you're safe indoors, if you go out, a straight person drives. It's common sense, and unlike alcohol users, cannabis users seem to retain most of their common sense.
3) This is important - this is the time of year often hardest on people who, for whatever reason, are feeling lonesome, alone or abandoned... I've been there and in some ways i'm still doing that! I've come to an understanding though, about my existence, and that is, the planet itself is not safe, but I am, or seem to be, at present (knocked on wood:).
There is a lot of uncertainty, yes. I've experienced it. Drives me nuts, internally. So I write. And do other things. I accept it somehow...
Sometimes Life gets hard to take in - breathe in...
I know.
If you use drugs - alcohol, cannabis, and others, don't drive... until the effects have had hours to wear off... call a cab, designate a person to drive who doesn't use intoxicants and euphorics, or stay put. If you're at a party and you must get home, have no money for a cab, and there is no designated driver... make a PLAN - let family or friends know you're going to a party and may not be able to drive... ask them ahead of time if they'd be willing to come get you, rather than the worst case - post your bail or ID your dead body (along with other, often innocent persons) at the morgue!
I want you around in one piece next year to follow my blog and the blogs of my friends, like Slam Dunk.
So please... Be Safe this Christmas, Ho Ho ;> And Not SORRY!!!
I don't encourage excessive drinking, or drugs, but realistically speaking, let's accept the fact they're out there. The customer's are lining up with shopping carts of alcoholic spirits and beverages, the cannabinoid vampires are getting their weed, and the hard drug users - well, maybe they'll consider backing off a bit and even maybe recognizing there is a limit to what us human beings can endure physically and seek help.
Over the years I've met pretty much all kinds of "drug users", from those who have self-control to those who have lost it. As I've said before, drunks scare me the most, but mostly because they feel free to terrorize the towns and highways.
The following are BobKat's harm reduction suggestions... maybe if just one person reads this and a injury is avoided/a life saved, it'll mean something, and make this post worthy of my efforts.
1) Don't drink alcohol or use recreational drugs and drive. Period!
I have a dear family friend who got in trouble! In a sense she was fortunate, in that, she and her new husband went to a party one night and they both got blind drunk. Although it was her husband's truck they left in, my friend decided to drive because HE was too drunk; but she was too! Being drunk causes stupidity, plain and simple. She was always the responsible one in the family... but that night, she made a BIG mistake thinking she'd be a better driver than her husband.
My friend was in school to be a registered nurse, and now she has a record: "aggravated DWI. He wasn't charged. Now she has no driver's license, has spent time in jail, and more.
Why didn't they call a cab??? Because they were drunk, and they felt fearless. That's alcohol, feeling fearless.
2) Cannabis use may seem safe - and I believe in many ways it is. But if you use cannabis, the opposite can happen... you can feel fearful, especially on the highway. Someone who has never used cannabis prior to the day they do, are especially vulnerable, as they have no experience with the effects of cannabis. Stay put if you're high... take a long walk, unless it's dangerous outside. But just because you may have experience doesn't mean you're prepared for the unexpected. Cannabis is a herb to use when you're safe indoors, if you go out, a straight person drives. It's common sense, and unlike alcohol users, cannabis users seem to retain most of their common sense.
3) This is important - this is the time of year often hardest on people who, for whatever reason, are feeling lonesome, alone or abandoned... I've been there and in some ways i'm still doing that! I've come to an understanding though, about my existence, and that is, the planet itself is not safe, but I am, or seem to be, at present (knocked on wood:).
There is a lot of uncertainty, yes. I've experienced it. Drives me nuts, internally. So I write. And do other things. I accept it somehow...
Sometimes Life gets hard to take in - breathe in...
I know.
***
If you use drugs - alcohol, cannabis, and others, don't drive... until the effects have had hours to wear off... call a cab, designate a person to drive who doesn't use intoxicants and euphorics, or stay put. If you're at a party and you must get home, have no money for a cab, and there is no designated driver... make a PLAN - let family or friends know you're going to a party and may not be able to drive... ask them ahead of time if they'd be willing to come get you, rather than the worst case - post your bail or ID your dead body (along with other, often innocent persons) at the morgue!
I want you around in one piece next year to follow my blog and the blogs of my friends, like Slam Dunk.
So please... Be Safe this Christmas, Ho Ho ;> And Not SORRY!!!
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