If you get a chance you should send your RSVP to the comment section of this post.

posted at 06:52:20 AM by Dominion

Tue, Jun 15 2004

Well it looks like "Derrick" (otherwise known as ffderrick) could not rest on his laurels but must once again prove his total buffoonery. There are times I really do despair.

Ok. Ok. Kick me in the teeth. I may even deserve it, but I am not a liar. I used simple references to my childhood in a poor manner. Apparently it didn't have the effect I intended. I am anything but illiterate. I don't write as a hobby or for my occupation. I am not adept in the written word. I could let my wife pick your grammar apart, but that would not be fair.

Alas it's true. Grammar is not my friend, lord knows I could use a great editor to whip my articles into shape. However since I don't have the resources of a modern newspaper I guess I will just have to struggle on my own. Still in my favor, I can generally make myself understood, and my thoughts are at least somewhat coherent, qualities to which your writing can only hope to aspire. As to whether or not your a liar, well the proof is in the pudding. Hell Derrick, at this point I am not even sure you attended school, much less a black school!

I was born in Normandy, Missouri. At the time, a suburb of St. Louis, but now simply part of the city proper. I grew up in an unincorporated area between Ferguson, Florissant and Berkeley, Mo. (You can look'm up) My name is Derrick. A suggestion to my mother from one of her close friends. They were both sweet ladies who didn't want hate to extend to their children. In Houston derrick has to do with oil. There were five Derrick's where I grew up, I was the only white Derrick. I don't hate my name or black people. I only mention this little info as part of my history. I've been living in the Houston area for approximately 13 years. Racial tensions are far less pronounced here.

Well thank you for that outpouring of information. Certainly I will now be able to check your story carefully. Sheesh, I give out the name, address, even the frickin' zip code to the schools I attended, and the best you can do is tell me you lived in an unincorporated area between Bumfuck Egypt and Podunktown. Well congrats Derrick, you have certainly made your point.

Your description of life in a mostly white Catholic school explains your self loathing and how easy it must have been in public school. If life was so tough, how did you get into Catholic school? Does riding a bus to a predominately black school somehow make you an official guru on racial matters? You rode a bus with a bunch of white kids. You said it yourself;

"So what ended up happening is that 20% of the white Frost students were bussed to Rhodes, which at the time was 10% white to 90% black. Geddit? What ended up happening is that Frost went from 30% to 70% split to a 10% to 90% split while Rhodes...well you get the idea."

I do marvel at your idiocy. It is so easy to poke fun at what you never experienced isn't it Derrick. First off, if my description of life at the catholic school (which involved what, two lines?) explains my self-loathing, I surly wish you would...well...explain. Frankly I don't feel like I loath myself. Of course I could be wrong, and self examination is very important so if you could just explain I could be a much happier guy!

Second, I don't know what makes you think that going to public school was easy, obviously (at least I would think) something was lacking in public schools that made my parents decided on private education eh? In fact, bussing was horrible. This happened in fourth grade. We had been attending Frost at that point for a third of the school year. Those students that were bussed had to get to the school an hour early. We would wait a half hour for busses to show up at Frost, to take us en massed to Rhoads. On my first day at Rhoads I was told by my teacher that I and my fellow bussees did not have to worry about our grades that year because she was going to pass us all anyway. Well there went an entire year of my education, what kid is going to bother to study when he is assured of a passing grade no matter what? Then another hour of waiting and traveling back to Frost to be picked up by the parents. It was stupid on it's face, and the only reason it was done was so Houston could say "Look at us, we are taking integration seriously". Bah!

Nor do I want to leave the impression that there was no racial tension. On the last day of school at Rhodes, no one went to school. The Jr. High down the road would head on over to Rhodes to beat up the elementary school kids. As our principal told my parents "The Hispanic kids will beat up the black kids which will then turn to beat up the white kids". When we went to pick up our report cards, we could see windows busted out and one of the temporary buildings (have you ever noticed those "temporary buildings are ever bit as permanent as the rest of the school?) had been burned.

The point is that not every day (or even every other day) that I went to school was I afraid of being beat up by black students. In fact for the year that I attended those two schools, I never got in a fight.

Oh yeah, I geddit. I'm not going to check your numbers, but I bet they are Bull. What about Hispanic people? I brought black kids to my house, which my parents didn't like very much. I went to their house, which their parents didn't like very much. I don't owe them anything and they don't owe me anything. We were equal. I attended public school. I consider it a privilege to grow up the way I did. One good thing black people taught me was to respect myself and not to hate myself. If you have guilt, start a reparations fund for white folks with guilt. Don't steal from me. I don't have any guilt and I don't owe any reparations. I have not seen any neighborhood in Houston that compares to St. Louis. Not one.

Oh stop man, yer breaking my heart! Of course you are not going to check my numbers because that might just confirm what I am saying. Right wing racist are almost always afraid of a little learning. Nor am I surprised that you think doing the right thing (to which paying reparation certainly is) with guilt. I guess that goes with the self loathing crack too eh? What is it about you guys that any disagreement with your positions must mean that the person feels guilt or self loathing? You can't debate on the logic of your positions so you accuse your opponent of over-emotionalism. Nor is having the government pay reparation stealing and it is just stupid of you to say so. Hell if using your tax money in a way you don't approve stealing then I promise you, the government has been stealing from me a lot longer than they have been stealing from you.

As far as never seeing a neighborhood in Houston that compares to St. Louis, well that 's no surprise either. You have proven quite nicely that your an ignorant fool that cares nothing for learning. But here is a hint anyway. East St. Louis and Fifth Ward. You would be surprised how well they compare. No it's not an exact fit, but then only morons expect them to be.

"So when I hear racist dumbasses like the above, I always have a chuckle. Yah yah your life was soooo tough having to go to school with all those black people, all just waiting for the chance to kick your ass. Boo hoo hoo. Please, spare me your crap."

Automatically, I'm a racist. Who is the idiot. If you really grew up in a black neighborhood you would know that strength is your best defense. I didn't lose many fights. While actually in school, I was usually fighting with the black kids and not against them. It was the older black kids that gave me shit. I stood up, got my ass kicked and earned respect. Remember that you grew up in the South. Houston is the South. The South with abundant job opportunities. The South is notorious for protecting it's white boy's at the expense of it's black boy's. The same cannot be said of St. Louis, Chicago, Detroit Etc... I was trying to explain the hate that was directed at me during an impressionable time. Does any 5-12 year old kid deserve that kind of hate. Even if it is a white kid. I don't think so. If you do, again start your own reparations fund. Don't steal from me. My kids, who are growing up in similar circumstances, made me realize that I have done nothing wrong and that I treat all people the same based on their worth and not the color of their skin. By the way, college boy, the government spends the people's money. That includes yours truly. If I am an idiot, You exemplify the term "A person educated beyond his intelligence."

No you mook, you being a racist was not automatic at all. What makes you a racist is what you say in these missives. Once again you have failed to dispute the basic fairness of reparation. You don't want to pay reparation for one reason and one reason only. You don't like blacks. They gave you a hard time in school and so no money for them...that'll teach em!

I did really grow up in black neighborhoods. What I learned is not that strength is my best defense, what I learned was that it is easy to get along with people as long as you don't act like an arrogant jerk. I am willing to bet you got your ass kicked, though I am unsure how much respect that earned you. I have found that people that get their asses kicked usually end up losing respect rather than gaining it.

And please spare me your recitation of the racial problems here in the South. I am quite aware of the sorry ass rep the south enjoys (deservedly) for our handling of the same. The North did no better, they just kept it more quiet (and if you doubt that, go and learn what happened in places like Boston when it came time to integrate their schools. It was every bit as messy as the south).

So here we are once again. You seen to feel that since you had a lousy time at the hands of black kids when you were growing up, this is more than enough reason to make sure that blacks are not paid reparation for the slavery their ancestors had to suffer under our ancestors. This is simply racist. You don't like black people so you don't want them to get any money. Bah.

Do yourself a favor Derrick and please spare me from another explanation on how you dislike blacks because they were so mean to you when you were a kid. It has nothing, absolutely nothing, to do with the subject of reparation.

posted at 07:48:07 AM by Dominion

Fri, Jun 11 2004

Today "A Skeptical Blog" is two years old.

Man it is hard to believe that I have been doing this for two years. In all that time my reader numbers have not really increased all that much. I get about a hundred visitors a day and that has been pretty steady. Now most people might be discouraged with so little increase, but not me. I have said repeatedly that I do this because I love to do it. Not because people read me. In two years that is still true, I simply love to blog. I don't think I will ever be one of the big, influential bloggers. That does not bother me either. As long as I feel that I have something of value to add to the conversation I will continue to do so.

For those who enjoy the blog, thanks for stopping by. I do appreciate it. While I am at it, I would like to thank those people that have become, if not friends, than at least fellow travellers...

First is "The Compassionate Conservatives". We had a great deal of fun animating "The Midnight Confessions of Emperor George W. Bush" (and if you would like to take a look, click here. It is a huge file so please be patient). I get excited every time I am told they have written yet another great song (and you can hear them here, and here).

Next is fellow skeptic QrazyQat, my most valued contributor. Whenever Qrazy leaves a comment I can be sure it will make me think. Contributors of this caliber are few and far between and I value Qrazy a great deal.

Of course, there are those bloggers that link to me. Atrios - the king of bloggers. James Capozzola of The Rittenhouse Review, Jeanne at Body and Soul, and too many more to name. If you have linked to my blog, and you don't see your blog listed on my blog roll, drop me a line and let me know. I love finding new blogs.

This year promises to be extra exciting to blog, you know, with the election and all. So it looks as if I will be sticking around another two years.

At least!

posted at 07:28:00 AM by Dominion

I would be remiss in not mentioning the death of one of the greatest bluesmen to ever sing a tune. Of course I am talking about Ray Charles. Not only was he a great singer, he was a great man who will be missed greatly.

Rest in Peace Ray. We will miss you.

posted at 07:25:17 AM by Dominion

Thu, Jun 10 2004

Homosexual Panic!

The American Family Association begs you to pass this along!

Dear Dominion:

PRINT THIS ARTICLE, MAKE COPIES AND DISTRIBUTE TO FRIENDS

As seen from the National Gay and Lesbian Task Force press release below, the Democratic leadership in the U.S. Senate is working with homosexual groups to make homosexual marriage legal in all 50 states. The homosexual community and the Democratic party are not going to allow the American public to vote on this issue.

Donald E. Wildmon, Chairman
American Family Association

Democratic Leadership Stands Solid In Pushing For Homosexual Marriage

From: National Gay and Lesbian Task Force NGLTF Communications Department

May 14, 2004

Washington, DC. Yesterday, leaders of the Democratic minority in the U.S. Senate pledged they would block any proposed amendment to the U.S. Constitution that would prohibit the recognition of same-sex marriage. The commitment was made at a meeting in the Capitol between the Senate Leadership Council and leaders of the gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgender (LGBT) community.

"We are gratified that our allies in the Democratic minority have committed to killing any attempt to enshrine anti-gay discrimination into our nation's most sacred document," said Matt Foreman, Executive Director of the National Gay and Lesbian Task Force. "This display of leadership stands in stark contrast to President Bush's calculated campaign to use our lives and our relationships as a wedge issue in the elections."

At yesterday's meeting, three senators -- Chuck Schumer (NY), Barbara Boxer (CA), and Debbie Stabenow (MI) -- reaffirmed the solidity of support against an amendment, regardless of any potential changes in its language.

At a similar meeting last July 17, Senate Minority Leader Tom Daschle said Democrats would ensure that the Federal Marriage Amendment would never get the 67 votes needed in the Senate to be passed on to the states for ratification. Since then, however, the religious and political right has mounted a furious campaign in support of the amendment, President Bush has called upon Congress to pass it, and different wordings of the amendment have been floated to potentially soften its impact on domestic partnerships and civil unions. As a result, many LGBT leaders and organizations have become concerned about a softening of the commitment to oppose an amendment. To shore that up that support, LGBT groups have launched urgent fundraising and advocacy appeals.

"While the Right will continue to press Congress to move the amendment - and we still must be vigilant - our community can now start shifting focus and more of our resources to fighting the ugly tide of anti-gay initiatives we face in multiple states this November," Foreman said.

As of today, anti-marriage constitutional amendments will be on the November ballot in five states (Georgia, Kentucky, Mississippi, Missouri, and Utah). That number could easily double over the next 8-10 weeks. Other imperiled states include the key 2004 battleground states of Michigan, Ohio and Oregon.

-30-

Well Donnie, I did what you asked. I am telling all my friends about how the Democratic party stands for equal rights for everyone. Not just rich white Christian Republicans!

posted at 07:05:09 AM by Dominion

Tue, Jun 08 2004

Slave Reparation Revisited.

More nuttery in my email box.

You might remember that back in January of 2003, I wrote about the issue of slave reparation, prompted by an email from that moron Michael Weiner (nee Savage). At the time I had no idea just who this clown was. Of course, now I am much more familiar with the fool (and I still highly recommend "SavageStupidity.com" as the best source of all your silly Savage needs).

Every once in a while, someone will write to take me to task for my opinion on slave reparation. Below is typical of the people that seem to oppose it. Written by ffderrick, it is a fine example of racist nuttery.

Mike Savage is a pompass ass. Done. Reparations are a not where he is wrong. I am 33 years old. grew up with black folks, know them as friend or not, just like any other person I may have chance to meet. I don't mean in a rural sense, but up close and personal. I don't have any black friends from school. Not from lack of trying on my part either. White boys were not allowed at a certain age. In elementary school all my good friends just happened to be black. Then they were told I was the enemy over and over again. By the time high school rolled around, unless they knew me personnally, I was the enemy. Until you walk from a mixed black and white neighborhood to middle school through a solid black neighborhood for two years, Don't talk to me about reparations. High school got out 1 hour before middle school, just in time to line the streets on my way home. I am short, stocky with a bald head, but people respect me when they look into my eyes. Not because I am white, but they see the life I have lived through them. I will not pay one tax dollar for reparations. I will kill any man who steals the food from my table, including those who steal in the name of reparations.

The first thing to note is the barely literate quality of the missive. "White boys were not allowed at a certain age"? What the fuck does that mean? "They were told I was the enemy"? By whom? "I will kill any man who steals the food from my table, including those who steal in the name of reparations." Well congrats ffderrick, you are officially an idiot.

But what I really love is the "I was raised in black neighborhoods. I have friends who are black, but not anymore, blacks used to line up to beat me"...etc...etc...etc. Yah sure buddy, like I believe every word out of your lying ass mouth!

Look I really was raised in predominately black neighborhoods here in Houston. I lived off of Mykawa Road in South Houston. I went to Robert Frost Elementary School only to be bussed to Rhodes Elementary School. The address of Frost is 5650 Selinsky Rd Houston, TX 77048 and the address to Rhodes is 4103 Brisbane St, Houston, TX 77047. Now this was at the height of the bussing situation and racial tension were quite high. To show you how stupid bussing was here in Houston, at the time I went to Frost it was approximately 30% white to 70% black. It was determined that only students in the fourth, fifth and sixth grades would be bussed and those who had brothers or sisters in lower grades (first, second and third) would not be bussed. So what ended up happening is that 20% of the white Frost students were bussed to Rhodes, which at the time was 10% white to 90% black. Geddit? What ended up happening is that Frost went from 30% to 70% split to a 10% to 90% split while Rhodes...well you get the idea. No one in this city was interested in true integration, all the city government did was play number games with schools where the majority of students were already black, and it insured that things stayed that way.

Yet as bad as the racial tension were at the time (and believe it, things were bad bad bad) they did not effect my brother and I any more than any other school I attended. In fact, I had a lot more trouble with students at the almost-all-white Jr. High I went to (Holy Ghost Catholic School located at 6920 Chimney Rock Houston, TX 77081). I was in seventh grade and for some reason the eighth graders hated me...but I digress. The point is that I had many more fights attending a mostly white school than I ever did attending a mostly black school. See when I was in the black school, it was never a question of "white/black" as much as it was "rich/poor". As far as my fellow black students were concerned, we were all in the same boat.

So when I hear racist dumbasses like the above, I always have a chuckle. Yah yah your life was soooo tough having to go to school with all those black people, all just waiting for the chance to kick your ass. Boo hoo hoo. Please, spare me your crap. Your experience are so different from mine and my friends that I find it almost impossible to believe that you actually went to a black school.

I included the addresses for Rhodes, Frost and Holy Ghost so that you could look up the neighborhoods yourself. You can find the demographics to the neighborhood fairly easy, hell call the schools if you want. I am betting things are not much different now as far as the black/white ratio goes, with the exception of Holy Ghost, which has become much more minority oriented than when I was going there. See I want you to know I am telling the truth, that I really did go to black schools. That way, when I say that racially it was not that big a deal, you will have no reason to doubt my word.

Aside from this, just where are the objections to reparations? What the above basically boils down too is "I don't think blacks deserve reparations because I don't like them because they were so mean to me when I was a kid". Bah, all I can say to that is Grow Up and Move On!

The fact is that slavery in this country enriched a lot of people none of them black. It was sanctioned by the US government. Jesus H. Christ, we went to the continent of Africa and stole people. We treated those people as if they were nothing more than property, no more important than a table or chair. And as my property I could be as mean, cruel and deadly as I wanted. After all, it was my property!

Hell I don't know of a group of people that deserve reparations more. And while we are at it, we might as well offer a great big apology for acting like such complete jerks back then. At a time when the rest of the civilized world was moving away from slavery, we were embracing it as if were a long lost brother.

Every time I discuss this subject with someone it always boils down to a question of selfishness, as in the above. "I won't pay one tax dollar". Well true enough I suppose since it will be the government paying those tax dollars. "Steals food off my table" which of course it won't. Not one scrap, bit, or crumb in food will this cost.

And of course my favorite "I will kill". I mean, after that, what more is there to say? You simply can't argue with such ignorance!

posted at 08:22:39 AM by Dominion

Mon, Jun 07 2004

I am sure by now you have heard about Ray Bradbury being somewhat upset that Mike Moore used the title "Fahrenheit 9/11" for his new film, a "rip-off" of his more famous book "Fahrenheit 451". I believe his exact quote (which is hard to get exact since the report originates in "Dagens Nyheter" a Swedish daily) was:

"Michael Moore is a screwed a--hole, that is what I think about that case. He stole my title and changed the numbers without ever asking me for permission. [Moore] is a horrible human being - horrible human!"

Translation provided by WorldNetDaily.com a website that I do not trust as far as I can throw it. And since I have tiny girly arms...

Such anger. I wonder if ol' Ray asked permission of William Shakespeare before using "Something Wicked This Way Comes" for the title of one if his books. Yes that's right, Ray's hypocrisy is complete with this passage from Act IV Scene I of Macbeth:

Second Witch:
By the pricking of my thumbs,
Something wicked this way comes.
Open, locks,
Whoever knocks!

Enter MACBETH

Well on Friday I was looking for information on Ray's words o' love when I ran across a news report in "The Seattle Times" that was so provocative that I just had to write. It was called "The Moore you know, the less you blame Disney" and written by Collin Levey, an editorial writer for the Times. I was amazed at the fact that, in spite of the length of the article, Ms. Levey failed to include any information about the film itself. She spent the entire article pretty much throwing stones at Moore, without once discussing the film! Truly an amazing feat that prompted me to write the following and send it along:

Wow, I really have to congratulate you on your amazing ability to critique a movie, without once discussing the content of the film! You do certainly spend a lot of time insulting Mike Moore. Is this some new way to report the news?

Why I bet it makes your job a chinch! Why bother to discuss the movie when you can just throw stones at the movie maker! Methinks you are on to something here, a new trend, a sexy way to impose your own narrow view without once having to acknowledge what the film is actually about!

Congrats once again. You are a sterling example of your profession.

I did not really expect to hear back, after all I send a couple of email messages to various reporters at least twice a week and hardly ever hear anything. Yet Ms. Levey proved to be a surprise. She wrote me back. Of course she did not even attempt to defend the idea that if you are going to talk about a film, you should probably include some information about the film...oh no. Instead she sends me two articles by Allan Murray. I have not been able to find the text of the articles on the web, more the pity because they are pretty funny, but for what it's worth the titles are "Elements of Myth Enter Into Post-9/11 Flights by Saudis" which according to Ms. Levey came to us by way of The Wall Street Journal via Dow Jones, and "`Fahrenheit 9/11' Isn't to Be Confused With Truth Telling" by way of the same.

Now let's stop and savor this for a moment. I write to complain about the fact that Ms. Levey decided to comment on a film without once telling us the content of said film, and her defense was to send me someone else's words. It figures. So I write once again:

Well once again I have to offer my congratulations. You are ever bit as dense as I suspected you are.

I am not sure why you think sending me two reports by Allan Murray absolve you of actually discussing the content of a film you are critiquing...it doesn't but what the heck, I did not expect you to get it in any case. It is of special irony that in both articles Allen admits that he did not view the film before his rant either. Simply amazing. Could be the reason that he got the whole Ben Laudin and Family Flight Fun as wrong as he ultimately did. You can check out http://www.snopes.com/rumors/flight.htm for more...but what am I thinking. You're a reporter...of course your not interested in learning more! Silly me.

And reporters wonder why Americans don't trust them. Perhaps there is a clue here Collin...what do you think? Do you think that this time you can use your own words?

It is times like these that I am damn proud not to be a member of the fourth estate.

Edit: Included a link to Collin Levey's article. How did I forget that?

posted at 07:28:50 AM by Dominion

Sun, Jun 06 2004

R.I.P. Ronald Wilson Reagan

Feb. 6, 1911 - June 5 2004

Well the man was no Anti-Christ, but he wasn't Jesus Christ either.

Before the hype gets completely out of control (and it will) let us remember that he was a man who was caught up in history at least as much as he made it.

posted at 07:21:03 AM by Dominion

Thu, Jun 03 2004

Shame on those Democrats

Sowing so much confusion about the new Prescription Drug Discount Card. Right? Right? Okay maybe not!

Ed Gillespie, chairman of the RNC is once again providing me much amusement.

Dear Dominion,

Starting today seniors will begin the voluntary use of a Prescription Drug Discount Card through Medicare. We need your help in spreading the message about this comprehensive benefit plan.

In December 2003, President George W. Bush signed into law the Medicare Prescription Drug, Improvement and Modernization Act of 2003. The Democrats immediately orchestrated a scheme to discredit and dismantle the prescription drug coverage that millions of seniors are entitled to under this new law.

Democrats attack this landmark legislation because a Republican President and Republican Congress delivered in three years what the Democrats couldn't do in 30 years!

Help spread the word about this landmark legislation by sending a letter to the editor of your state and local newspapers by clicking here. (link only works for GOP Team Leaders. Go ahead and sign up today.)

Sincerely,

Ed Gillespie,
Chairman,
Republican National Committee

Why Ed. Surly you don't mean this Drug Discount Card?

Thanks to the Joe Hoeffel campaign for such an illuminating chart!

Why, that's right Ed. It is those nasty Democrats that are making your Medicare Prescription Drug, Improvement and Modernization Act of 2003 the laughingstock that it is. Why seniors have nothing to do with it at all...

Tom Snedden, director of the Pennsylvania's PACE program, said fewer than 100 higher-income people have signed up for a discount card being offered by PACE. The discounts offered by the PACE card aren't as robust for higher-income seniors as those provided by many commercial cards, Snedden said.

But, Snedden said, he's heard commercial card sponsors say they haven't had many takers, either.

The Associated Press reported Friday that AARP, which has 35 million members, mailed out 26,000 enrollment kits, but had signed up only 400 people. A spokesman for Walgreen Co., another card sponsor, told the AP: "We prepared for a crush of seniors to come in beginning in May. That hasn't happened."

UPMC Health Plan is offering a card to beneficiaries throughout the state, but hadn't enrolled anyone as of Friday. That's because Medicare still hasn't approved the health plan's marketing materials. Bill Sawchak, spokesman for UPMC Health Plan, said 25 cards were ready to go once the approval comes in.

Another Pennsylvania company selling a discount card, Independence Blue Cross, did not have numbers to release, according to a spokesman.

Health plans have issued many more cards to seniors in their Medicare HMOs, but these cards typically carry no charge.

Or maybe a news report from Bush's own bailiwick will help Ed understand a bit better just what is going on with the Republican Medicare Prescription Drug, Improvement and Modernization Act of 2003:

Tuesday is the first day enrolled older Americans can use their drug discount cards, but early figures show seniors may not be interested.

In fact some card sponsors in Washington are disappointed by the number of older Americans enrolling.

The card has it's skeptics. And they are exactly the people who it's geared to -- seniors.

Deborah McMullen is a pharmacy care representative at HEB. She says, " I think that there has been a lot of information out there that's very confusing and when you don't understand then you're hesistant to sign up but I'm finding more and more seniors are signing up."

The cost is $30 per card. Some pharmacies aren't charging a thing. It could reduce the prices of certain drugs from certain pharmacies by ten to twenty-five percent. Critics say that with rising drug prices, the discount card doesn't do much but keep prices in line with what they should be. In addition, over 70 companies have been approved to market the cards and there's confusion over which one may be best.

For now at least, seniors are having a hard time seeing the benefit when their AARP card may be giving them equal, if not better discounts.

Let's face it Ed. Seniors are not stupid. Confused yes, but then who's fault is that (refer to chart above).

posted at 08:17:16 AM by Dominion

Wed, Jun 02 2004

Simply Outrageous!

Idiot pharmacists refuse to fill prescriptions for birth control pills.

Real busy today but I could not let this one pass.

Dear Dominion:

In an outrageous move to stop women from preventing unintended pregnancies, some pharmacists in Wisconsin, Texas and New York have refused to fill prescriptions (http://www.ppaction.org/ct/RdzgTIF19QPq/) for birth control pills and emergency contraception (a high dosage of birth control pills). Planned Parenthood is fighting back and you can too.

If you have been denied health care services at a pharmacy based on a pharmacist's religious, moral or ethical objections, tell us your story.

You can take action on this alert via the web at: http://www.ppaction.org/

Visit the web address below to tell your friends about this. http://www.ppaction.org/campaign/pharmacistrefusal/forward/73765urpjd7k6j

We encourage you to take action by September 27, 2004

INSTRUCTIONS TO RESPOND VIA THE WEB:

If you have access to a web browser, you can take action on this alert by going to the following URL:

http://www.ppaction.org/

Your letter will be addressed and sent to: Planned Parenthood Action Network Team

----THIS LETTER WILL BE SENT IN YOUR NAME----

Dear [decision maker name automatically inserted here],

Tell us your story. Have you been denied a health care service based on religious, moral or ethical objections?

[insert personal story]

----END OF LETTER TO BE SENT----

Sincerely,

Dominion

This is absolutely outrageous. How dare a pharmacist refuse to fill a prescription for any reason whatsoever. Medication is between patient and doctor. This kind of crap makes me soooo mad.

You know what to do.

posted at 08:48:06 AM by Dominion

Tue, Jun 01 2004

A Memorial Day Message

Rightmartch reminds you that our brave soldiers die, not for all, but only for God believers.

ALERT: We thought this would be a good Alert to send our members on Memorial Day. Over two years ago, following the attacks of 9-11, some lawmakers had a great idea. They wanted to recognize the song that took on new meaning after those terrorist attacks.

Sen. Sam Brownback (R-KS) and Rep. Gene Green (D-TX) introduced bills in Congress that would make "God Bless America" the "national hymn". The bills, if passed, would add the now-famous patriotic tune to the list of national melodies.

According to TheHill.com, Green said he first introduced the measure "after 9-11, when members of Congress spontaneously sang" the anthem, adding that he was also spurred on by petitions with 60,000 signatures in support of the legislation. (Over 10,000 messages were sent directly to their legislators by our members in support of these bills!)

"This is really something that resonates so strongly across America," Brownback said in 2002 when he introduced S. 3125. "It is something that we accept and it just really connects with the American people."

This patriotic masterpiece was written by Irving Berlin, a man whose background as an immigrant to our shores gave him a keen understanding and appreciation of our nation and how important it is. This song has provided for all of us a means to express our own love and feelings. It's why we have sung it so many times over the past three years since those terrible events of September 11th, and why we will continue to sing it for the years to come. It captures the feelings every citizen shares -- of love, of pride, of patriotism, of sacrifice, and of freedom.

The power of this song to uplift and comfort us, particularly in the dark days after 9-11, reminds us of the strength of words to inspire. For that reason, the time has come to give this song its long overdue recognition.

TAKE ACTION: When Sen. Brownback introduced his bill, he got seven co-sponsors in the Senate... and the bill died in committee. When Rep. Green first introduced his bill, he got 29 co-sponsors in the House... and the bill died in committee.

Rep. Green has introduced his bill again (H.R. 99)... and he's gotten ZERO co-sponsors. ZERO legislators willing to step up and put their names on a bill to honor a song that means so much to so many. Now the bill is stuck in committee.

Let's change that. Go to our site below to urge your Representative to become a co-sponsor of H.R. 99, making "God Bless America" our "national hymn":

http://www.rightmarch.com/053104.htm

NOTE: Incidentally, enacting "God Bless America" as the "national hymn" would NOT unseat "The Star-Spangled Banner" as the national anthem! So be sure to forward this email to everyone you know that wants to see this powerful song of our nation's heritage become our national hymn. Thank you!

What I would like to know is why do we need a national hymn? What's next? A national jingle?

posted at 07:01:21 AM by Dominion