Bible Smuggling In America?

By Anne Trimble

Some of the true modern heroes of the Christian faith are people in Islamic countries and other areas hostile to Christianity who smuggle in Bibles for believers.

Now, we may very well need that kind of spiritual heroism in our nation.

Under the new guidelines of the U.S. Navy, "no religious items (and this includes Bibles, Biblical materials, or religious artifacts) are allowed to be taken by visitors to the Walter Reed Medical Center, as well as the Bethesda Naval Center in Maryland, where many of our wounded military personnel are receiving medical treatments.

U.S. Rep. Steve King from Iowa is among other infuriated Republicans and has vigorously begun blasting this policy, one that was buried in a four-page paper pertaining to patient care regulations.

"Mr. Speaker, these military men and women who are recovering at Walter Reed and Bethesda have given their all for America!" King declared on the floor of the House of Representatives this week.

"The people that come to visit them cannot bring a religious artifact? They cannot deliver a Bible ... A clergyman cannot attend with the Eucharist and offer communion to a person that might be on their deathbed because it's restricted in this memo from the Department of the Navy?"

This is Obama's military. And it's yet one more reason we need to defeat him in November. Our country has been built on the bedrock of Biblical principles and our right to spiritual liberty has been promised to us by the Constitution of the United States. The freewill clause of the First Amendment prohibits the government, in most cases, from blocking a person's practice of their religious beliefs. Americans of all religious persuasions should be outraged by Obama's decision.

In closing, let me repeat my main point here: Our nation was founded on Biblical principles and our right to religious freedom is guaranteed by the Constitution of the United States. Since the free exercise clause of the First Amendment to the Constitution prohibits the government from interfering with a person's practice of their religion within reason, we must find a way to express our opinions about this new policy whether it is writing letters to our congressmen, creating blog posts, writing articles and posting videos online, or any other creative way to protect our rights to freedom of worship.

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Learn more about the events of our times or read Anne Trimble's heart-warming personal story about her Christian faith Faith Through The Flames.

The Fiscal Cliff is more than a Cliff, it is a International Catastrophe

By Vinny Sarotino

Headlines all over the major News Read:

Washington Post: "Both sides appear upbeat on opening round of Fiscal cliff talks." CNN Income: "Fate of paychecks rests on fiscal cliff." CNN Politics: "A look for 'common ground: Fiscal cliff negotiations begin."

Just google fiscal cliff and you will see more than 1 billion results about it. Why is this Fiscal Cliff so essential? If aren't aware of our current economic scenario, both locally and globally, you will be scared straight once you are created conscious. The International Economic climate is falling apart. Yes, it really is a matter of when we will fall more than this cliff that will be more devastating than the Wonderful Depression. Why? Simply because, it's Global.

The NY Occasions explains the Fiscal Cliff:

Q.What is the fiscal cliff?

A. The phrase refers to greater than $500 billion in tax increases and across-the-board investing cuts scheduled to take effect following Jan. 1 - for fiscal year 2013 alone - unless Mr. Obama and Republicans reach an option deficit-reduction deal. Ben Bernanke, the chairman from the Federal Reserve, who's not identified for catchy phrases, coined the metaphor "fiscal cliff" final winter to warn on the harmful however avoidable drop-off ahead inside the nation's fiscal path. It stuck.

Q.If we go over this so-called cliff, what takes place?

A. Taxes would rise for almost every single taxpayer and numerous businesses. Financing for many federal programs, military and domestic, will be reduce. Several economists say that although annual budget deficits are also higher, these new taxes and investing cuts would be an excessive amount of deficit reduction, as well abruptly, to get a weak economic climate. Greater than $500 billion equals roughly three percent to four percent of gross domestic item. The Congressional Spending budget Office has mentioned the result would be a short recession, even though some analysts say the measures could possibly be managed so they do less damage.

May be the American Economic climate on the Edge in the Fiscal Cliff?

Completely. When we fall off, there will likely be no parachute which will be available to conserve us. It will be a tough landing. Hang on tight boys. The Fantastic Depression will look like child's play compare to what we're about to face.

With its current financial policy, The United states of america of America had jeopardized our growth by digging us in to the greatest Debt Bubble ever. They, the Federal Reserve, using the backing in the U.S. Government was allowed to print (Print Funds, hence reduce rates of interest) us into oblivion. All the Central Bankers are printing cash so they're able to compete using the low interest in the global currency, the American Dollar.

When the government tries to intervene the natural seasonal cycles of capitals by artificially stimulating the economic climate, the predictable devastating punishment is going to be an historic deflation, subsequently followed by a horrifying hyperinflation which inevitably produces run away rates.

Since the Government had intervened for the longest time by manipulating the economic climate by printing a sizable sums of dollars, the aftermath won't be a simple recession, but a better depression. "We arrive in the world naked, and we leave the world naked, so the Federal Reserve Bank is just carrying out God's operate." They're slowly stripping away the value of the dollar by continuing to print them on automatic pilot with absolutely no remorse or concern towards the financial effect that it is going to have.

Peter Schiff Explains the present Financial Situation concerning the Fiscal Cliff.

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Washington and Colorado Voters Say Yes to Marijuana

By Mark Anthony

On November 6th initiatives in Colorado and Washington State were approved that effectively legalized marijuana for recreational use. This marks a historic point in time making Washington State and Colorado the earliest states to legalize marijuana.

The initiatives describe new laws and regulations which will decriminalize possession of small quantities of marijuana by people over the age of 21. In addition to decriminalizing possession the initiatives will open up a new marketplace for growing, packaging and providing marijuana.

Under the new law in Washington State there'll be a 25% sales tax on marijuana. Forty percent of the new income will go to state and local budgets. This 25% tax rate will be imposed on marijuana products three times. Marijuana will be taxed when the grower sells to the processor, when the processor sells to the retailer and once the merchant sells to the customer. The tax on marijuana sales promises to be an excellent source of important revenue for the state.

Although the initiatives have passed at state level, marijuana remains to be unlawful under federal law. Marijuana continues to be classified as a controlled substance under the Controlled Substances Act of 1970. In a written statement, the Department of Justice has made it very clear that "enforcement of the Controlled Substances Act remains unchanged".

The divergence of these new state laws from federal laws could make for lawsuits soon. It is possible that the federal government could sue Washington and Colorado for being in violation of federal laws. The Department of Justice is now evaluating the new state laws in addition to similar initiatives around the country.

Questions abound for retailers, growers, consumers as well as businesses that have long had zero tolerance policies concerning marijuana use. It is probable that there is going to be controversy associated with employers penalizing or terminating the employment of people who test positive for marijuana.

Even though this is a milestone for change in both Washington and Colorado it is obvious that it is only the beginning. It is likely to take a year or more for all of the unique rules and specifics to be written and approved by local officials. In the meantime, marijuana proponents in both states will be hoping that the federal government recognizes the choice of the voters enabling each state to translate the new laws into profitable and economically viable new endeavors.

For now it will be a waiting game.

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Government Stimulus Attempts Can Easily Go Several

By Clarence Amador

The current US economic downturn has shown that government stimulus efforts can cut both ways, and that while these endeavours are intended to help they could make things worse also. Ever since the economic system of the USA and the world has begun the most recent decline there have been stimulus efforts by government firms, yet many of these fell far short and some truly caused economic harm insteadfinancial harm instead . The free market in America makes any government disturbance tricky , and this interference can cause claims of monetary harm by some other nations and foreign nationals.

One of the stimulus efforts has long been the quantitive easing that the Federal Reserve has involved in, and the international perspective of these efforts are dim. Since the Federal reserve is meant to keep inflation under control this entity has been buying up mortgage securities while having measures to keep rates of interest at nothing. More currency printing has been used, and this has triggered complaints to international firms that currency manipulation has been undertaken through the Federal Reserve.

Some of the current government stimulus efforts have triggered a huge flashback from the international investment community, and the outcomes viewed for these efforts have been slim. Government bailouts of firms deemed too big to fail have already been seen with a critical eye, and many question regardless of whether this was the best use of taxpayer money instead of letting the market correct and the chips fall. A free market lacks government interference, and recent stimulus efforts reveal that the best of intentions do not always indicate good results.

This causes a typical query. Should the government make any attempt to stimulate the economic system, or perhaps is this outside the scope and ability of the federal government? Different professionals and analysts might give differing replies. Many believe that the economy should be left alone, and that the very best way to stimulate financial growth is to provide a firm foundation for privately owned company.

Some might argue that the efforts by the US government to stimulate financial activity kept things from getting even worse, but there is no way to know if this is actually true or not since the stimulus efforts were utilized. The economic system might not have worked out any different if the government had not attempted to stimulate activity, or things can have eventually gotten much worse.

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General Petraeus Resigns His Position as the CIA Director Right after His Affair With Biographer Paula Broadwell

By Luigi Saritolli

General Petraeus resigns after he had an affair with is biographer, however, must this be the determing factor on who he was, what he represented as a correct Wonderful American. He fought for this country with his blood, sweat and tears. Yes, he made a grave error, but in no way forget the tremendous accolades of achievement that his Great American in his career.

It's Unfortunate that such a predicament occurred specifically to a decorated war hero like General Petraeus.

Despite the fact that General Petraeus resigns, in no way forget the accolades of achievements that General Petraeus had attained in his military career:

In accordance with Wikipedia:

David Howell Petraeus is an American former military officer and public official. He served as Director on the Central Intelligence Agency from September 6, 2011,[2] until his resignation on November 9, 2012.[3] Prior to his assuming the directorship of the CIA, Petraeus was a four-star general serving more than 37 years inside the United states Army. His last assignments within the Army were as commander of the International Safety Help Force (ISAF) and Commander, U.S. Forces Afghanistan (USFOR-A) from July four, 2010, to July 18, 2011. His other four-star assignments contain serving as the 10th Commander, U.S. Central Command (USCENTCOM) from October 13, 2008, to June 30, 2010, and as Commanding General, Multi-National Force - Iraq (MNF-I) from February ten, 2007, to September 16, 2008.[4] As commander of MNF-I, Petraeus oversaw all coalition forces in Iraq.[5][6]

Petraeus features a B.S. degree from the United states Military Academy, from which he graduated in 1974 as a distinguished cadet (best 5% of his class). He was theGeneral George C. Marshall Award winner as the leading graduate on the U.S. Army Command and General Employees College class of 1983.[7] He subsequently earned anM.P.A. in 1985 and a Ph.D. degree in International Relations in 1987 from the Woodrow Wilson School of Public and International Affairs at Princeton University. He later served as Assistant Professor of International Relations at the United states Military Academy as well as completed a fellowship at Georgetown University.[8]

Petraeus has repeatedly stated that he has no plans to run for elected political office.[9][10][11][12] On June 23, 2010, President Barack Obama nominated Petraeus to succeed General Stanley McChrystal as commanding general in the International Security Assistance Force in Afghanistan, technically a step down from his position as Commander of United states Central Command, which oversees the military efforts in Afghanistan, Pakistan, Central Asia, the Arabian Peninsula, andEgypt.[13][14][15]

On June 30, 2011, Petraeus was unanimously confirmed because the next Director on the CIA from the U.S. Senate 94-0.[16] Petraeus relinquished command of U.S. and NATO forces in Afghanistan on July 18, 2011, and retired from the U.S. Army on August 31, 2011.[17] On November 9, 2012, General Petraeus resigned from his position as Director from the CIA, citing an extramarital affair that was reportedly discovered inside the course of an FBI investigation.[18]

General Petraeus Resigns, but he continues to be a Prolific along with a really Distinguished General!

Yes, he did make a huge mistake by getting an affair with his biographer. I am definitely not condoning this behavior. However, because the amazing General that he is, he has taken the complete responsibility, guilt, and made the choice to resign as the Director from the CIA.

Yes, General Petraeus Resigns, but he nevertheless had served his country with incredible distinction!

Though General Petraeus resigns, he really should nonetheless be remembered for his many phenomenal accolades of achievement that had performed for this nation and not this 1 mistake. I guess it truly is accurate once they say, poor news sale. However, for his case, this is promoting worldwide and is creating headline news everywhere.

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US Prohibition

By Chris Sissy

The Volstead act or Prohibition act took effect in 1920. In several states throughout America laws were currently in place to try to halt the use of alcohol. These laws were in effect prior to the 18th amendment (Volstead act, Prohibition act) was passed before congress.

New York was the 1st state to possess any such laws passed in 1697. This law plainly stated that bars and alcohol consumption establishments have to close on Sunday. Sunday for the majority of religions is supposed to be considered a day of rest and prayer rather than drinking. In Georgia in 1735, the government passed its 1st state wide ban on alcohol. The ban survived only seven years and was a complete failure.

In 1851, they attempted yet again to instill a prohibition on alcohol in Maine, this time it worked even better than they had anticipated. By 1855, a dozen other states joined Maine in becoming a "dry state."

Following the Civil War in 1880, women of all ages joined the "dries". It was not long before the temperance movement became a power to be reckoned with. The conservative Woman's Christian Temperance Union, WCTU, was established and the Prohibition Party began gaining steam.

By 1900, more than 50% of the continental United States was dry. The prohibitionists believed they had the alcohol ban locked up and there wasn't any possible way for any person to acquire alcohol in a dry state. However, for the dries, the US Postal Service inadvertently furnished a loophole. Since the USPS was governed by the United States government not the state government, spirits could be purchased and shipped by a wet state. This angered the dries. In 1913, an Interstate Liquor Act was passed. This act effectively made it illegal for any individual to send liquor to any dry state in anyway. The end results was actually a step backwards for those attempting to keep liquor out since it gave rise to illegal strategies of acquiring the alcohol because liquor distilleries were now in league with crime bosses.

In 1917, the 18th amendment was drafted rendering it illegal to buy, ship or produce liquor. This would not sit well with numerous states. The amendment was argued in congress for a further 24 months. In 1920 33 states had declared themselves dry which meant a big victory for the prohibition party.

January 29, 1919. The 18th Amendment was ratified making all hard alcohol having an ethanol content exceeding 80 proof (40%) be disallowed. Officially, it banned the making, selling, or transporting of these alcoholic drinks. It was supported by many folks since they thought that only hard liquor was to be banned and that it would be fine to have a glass of wine with food or have a beer in the evening. Nevertheless, it wasn't until 12 months later, the Volstead Act (prohibition act) was passed. The Volstead Act totally banned all alcohol that had more than 1 proof (1/2%) of alcohol. This essentially banned all styles of alcoholic drinks, aside from non-alcoholic beers. When the 18th amendment was ratified, the Volstead Act was brought into the light by the Prohibition supporters. For many of the prohibition supporters who only wanted a little wine or the occasional beer felt as though that they had been betrayed because they were left with absolutely nothing once the act was passed.

One group that no one considered were the veterans of WW1. These soldiers felt very betrayed returning from fighting in the war. Most of them had been stationed in France and came to know how a reasonable amount of alcohol could enhance the quality of life. Returning home and discovering that the dries had won a complete victory over alcohol added to the bitterness of the veterans disdain. The fatal miscalculation with prohibition was to ban all forms of alcohol. Eighty percent of the Prohibition Party supporters abandoned the party. Prohibition lasted for 13 years in the US until in 1933 the 21st amendment was passed to officially end the ban on alcohol.

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Civil War Flags Have A Story To Tell

By Coleen Cote

It is still considered the bloodiest battle in the history of the United States. Over six hundred thousand men were killed and well over three hundred thousand were wounded. It pitted friend against friend. States Rights was the overarching theme, but slavery was the foundation. When it came to the intent of America Civil War Flags serve as a good example.

The states which seceded did not want the restrictions of national governmental laws. They also sought to maintain slavery. The atmosphere of the remainder of the country was that it was an evil unchristian institution. The developers of the American constitution explained that all men should be treated in an equal fashion. The United States wanted to make a decisive move in that direction.

When states seceded and formed the Confederate States of America, there was a unique flag created. This confederate flag was similar to the United States flag. It had 13 stars to represent each seceded state. There were actually 3 union flags that were used during the civil war. The first flag had thirty three stars and became official on July 4, 1859. This was approximately two years before the southern states began to pull out of the union.

On July 4, 1861, the next flag became official. This was six months after states began to secede from the union. The extra star was due to the Kansas territory becoming a state. The last flag became official 2 years later. It recognized the western part of Virginia, soon known as West Virginia, that chose to stay where it had started. This flag containing 35 stars remained until the end of the war.

The fact that the seceded states were still represented on the union flag made a great statement. This perhaps factored into the outcome of the war. It suggested that the southern states still had a place in the union. This would be a truth appreciated in future years.

In a situation similar to the father of a biblical prodigal son, Abraham Lincoln, with the mission to serve and protect the Union, still considered himself to be the President of every state, both Union and Confederate. Although there were difficulties in the post war times, America healed and continued to grow. Other conflicts like World War One and World War Two helped to further unite the country.

The confederate flag still is held as a significant symbol for various reasons. Some would say it is symbolized to help generations of southerners remember the intent of the states that succeeded. Some believe is is to honor ancestors that gave their lives during the bloody conflict. The Civil Rights movement would recognize it as an even steeped in racism and a means for many to justify Jim Crow Laws, or those which kept Black Americans separated.

The United States is an example of continuous growth in diversity. Every flag that flew during the Civil War serves as credible collectors items. Original flags can still be found. These are excellent for collections. However, they more importantly serve as a window into the history of America. Absolutely all Civil War Flags are the property of every American.

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Practical Uses Of Civil War Battle Flags

By Madeline Finch

Soldiers are among the most loyal people in any given state. They dedicate their lives in the protection of their country. They put their lives on line, and some even lose their lives in honor of fighting for their country. They carry civil war battle flags, or streamers that symbolize the national pride. These decorations play a very significant role in any warring country.

These ribbons in the past were specifically meant for combat use. This is why the battle bunting differed from the national one. The state paper chain was a symbol of sovereignty, and was not to be carried to combat by the military. Different designs were therefore drawn for the purpose of distinguishing. There were factors that were considered when designing the ticker tape.

The only way to distinguish a military streamer from a national one was through design. The designs had different colors, signs and symbols. Each of the symbols linked to a different unit. This was the best way in which a division would be distinguished from another. This is because the groups had different roles to play in the combat. Precaution was taken to avoid a confusing situation whereby streamers looked alike.

Another factor that was put in place when designing was the geographic origin. Some decorations were made of wool, while others of cotton or polyester. Seals were either painted, otherwise sown on the streamer. Putting a seal to identify the country was also an important way of distinguishing the origin of the regiment. The seals gave the streamer a national and a military significance.

The other factor that was put into place when designing a streamer was the function it serves. During combat, soldiers were trained to communicate in several ways, other than verbal communication. This was due to the nature of combat. Streamers were used to send various messages, for example a white one would show submission while a red one symbolized danger. In addition, they guided the soldiers to the place of combat.

The military would pride themselves in carrying ribbons because of several reasons. Other than showing identity, it was a symbol of national pride. It showed that the soldiers were aware of what they were going to do, and the risks involved all for the love of their country.

The importance of these streamers can be further stresses by the way they were carried and guarded. It was up to soldiers to ensure that the paper chains were well taken care of, and guarded with their lives. Upon defeat, the winning side would take the banner of the losing side, and vice versal.

Today, military troops are given a chance to be recognized during national ceremonies and parades. This is done in honor of their diligence or conquest. During the procession, the troops carry these streamers with them for display. It is a way of showing pride in what they did in battle.

Combat action has almost become a thing of the past. Many people have lost their loved ones in this process. Civil war battle flags are a significant reminder as to why peace is important in any nation. They carry historic significance.

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What Did The Confederate Flag And Union Flag Civil War Soldiers Carried Look Like

By Alberta Martinez

The colours carried by soldiers during the American Civil War showed a surprising amount of variation, considering that it was the first mass participation, overtly technological war in history. The Union Flag Civil War soldiers carried went through several versions, though the changes were nowhere near as drastic as those the Confederate colours underwent.

The banner of the Confederacy is usually perceived as being the blue on red St Andrews cross with white stars. While this design has become iconic and immediately recognisable, it was actually the banner of the Army of Northern Virginia and was adopted generally because of the victories won by that army early on in the war. The actual national banner of the Confederate States was actually much more similar to the Stars and Stripes of the USA in its design.

The St Andrews cross design was then incorporated as a canton in the corner of a 'stainless' white banner. It was this design which was draped over the coffin of Stonewall Jackson as he lay in state. The white section later had a red line added to its white section so that it did not resemble a flag of truce on still days with no wind.

The Stars and Bars was the original national colour of the Confederacy was called the Stars and Bars. This design had a blue canton in the corner, with a star representing each of the Confederate states, and three bars on the rest of the flag, a red one, white one and blue one. This later dropped from use, largely because of its overt similarities to the banners carried by Northern troops.

Yet another colour had preceded these when it came to the Southern forces, with the 'Bonnie Blue' being a banner which was carried into action in the early days of the war. This pale blue effort was decorated with a solitary white star, which symbolised the first state to break from the Union, South Carolina. This was discarded in favour of other designs because it was perceived to be better for each state to have its own star.

Union banners during the conflict remained much more consistent in design, though there were still some considerable variations which were seen. At the beginning of the war, in April 1861, the banner would have looked familiar to modern eyes, though there were some key variations. This was the Stars and Stripes which carried 33 stars, in five rows, four of seven stars and one middle row of five.

Kansas had already become the 34 state of the Union by this juncture, but a star for that state was not added to the banner until the Fourth of July 1861. The stars which represented states which had seceded were retained as part of the design, as the Confederates were regarded as rebels rather than a separate country. A 35 star banner was later adopted in 1863, following West Virginia's statehood, and used to the end of the conflict.

It was this Union Flag Civil War Confederate soldiers surrendered to at Appomatox, bringing a destructive and nation-shaping conflict to an end. The turbulent nature of the period is reflected in the range of banners which the war spawned. This iconic period of American history was the crucible out of which much of the American character was created.

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Top Ten Reasons California Newspapers Say We Should Vote No on Prop 33

By Brooks Bergamini

Consumer Watchdog Campaign today compiled ten of the most compelling reasons Californians should vote NO on Proposition 33, as reported by newspapers and editorial boards across the state.

"Consumer and public interest groups are being outspent 50 to 1 by an insurance billionaire who has thrown $16 million into Prop 33 in order to cherry pick customers and raise rates on good drivers in California," said Carmen Balber of the No on Prop 33 Campaign. "Voters should look to trusted sources to sort through the truth about how Prop 33 will hurt consumers."

Top ten reasons Californians should vote NO on Election Day 2012:

1. Prop 33 will raise rates on new drivers.

George Joseph, the insurance billionaire behind Prop 33, acknowledged to the Los Angeles Times on Sunday that Prop 33 will raise rates on new drivers. As columnist Mike Hiltzik reported: "He made no bones about the fact that the 'proper rate' for customers coming to Mercury as newly insured policyholders is much higher than what he can charge them now."

2. Prop 33 will allow insurers to cherry pick their preferred customers and raise rates on everyone else.

Riverside Press-Enterprise editorial: "The idea that the head of an insurance company would spend millions of dollars to save drivers money defies all credibility. No, a different and self-interested agenda drives this measure: poaching lucrative customers from rivals while encouraging less desirable customers to go elsewhere. Californians have no reason to reward that kind of special-interest scheme, and voters should reject Prop. 33."

3. California voters said NO to an almost identical measure at the ballot two years ago.

San Jose Mercury-News editorial: "Two years ago billionaire George Joseph, chairman of Mercury Insurance, spent $16 million of the company's money on Proposition 17, a direct attack on California's strong insurance rights laws. Like an irritating mosquito, Joseph and his millions are back again this year with proposition 33, essentially a new version of the law voters rejected two years ago."

4. Prop 33 will raise the number of uninsured drivers in California.

Riverside Press-Enterprise editorial: "That approach would make insurance more expensive for drivers who do not have it now - which would undermine the public interest. State policy should encourage all drivers to buy insurance, to avoid the extra costs everyone else pays in collisions with the uninsured. Instead, Prop. 33 would throw new financial obstacles in the path of those who lack insurance."

5. Prop 33 will overturn a 24-year-old consumer and civil rights protection.

North County Times editorial: "Put on the ballot by insurers, Prop. 33 seeks to overturn a voter-approved law (Prop. 103 in 1988) on charging automobile insurance customers a higher rate if they were not previously insured. We see no reason to change the current ban on charging higher rates to the previously uninsured. A person's likelihood of causing a vehicle collision tomorrow would not seem to hinge on whether they had insurance last week or not."

6. Prop 33 will raise rates on good drivers who drop their insurance coverage for almost any reason.

Sacramento Bee editorial: "The downside remains clear as the attorney general's office notes in the official summary: Proposition 33 'will allow insurance companies to increase cost of insurance to drivers who have not maintained continuous coverage.' That would mean higher costs for graduating students buying coverage, anyone newly obtaining an auto, city dwellers who haven't owned a car but now live in an area without mass transit, anyone who decided not to drive for more than three months to save money."

7. Prop 33 unfairly punishes responsible drivers who stop driving for good reasons and then need to get back on the road.

Daily News editorial: "There is no good reason such people should be punished for their non-driving period. Once they need or are able to drive again, the law says they have to buy insurance. When they comply with that law, they should not be hit with a surcharge that could last five years."

8. Prop 33 will raise rates on drivers with perfect driving records.

Bakersfield Californian editorial: "But Prop. 33 could still raise rates for drivers, even those with perfect driving records. In states with Prop. 33-like rules, drivers who buy insurance following a long lapse in coverage paid more: 61 percent more in Texas, 79 percent more in Nevada and 103 percent more in Florida."

9. Prop 33 is funded by one insurance billionaire to benefit his own company at the expense of consumers.

Daily News editorial: "The electorate didn't buy the pitch then that Mercury Insurance's chairman was spending $16 million to pass a measure just because he wanted consumers to save money on auto insurance. And voters shouldn't buy it now that Mercury's billionaire boss George Joseph is back -- spending more than $8 million so far in support of of this self-serving measure."

10. Prop 33 is backed by an insurance company with a record of abusing its customers and violating the law.

Santa Cruz Sentinel editorial: "According to the California Department of Insurance, Mercury Insurance overcharged and discriminated against California customers for 15 years. The company's founder, Joseph, has a track record of giving money to state politicians to get state law changed to benefit Mercury, and when that failed, abusing the state initiative process with his self-serving propositions."

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Discover More About FBI Secrets

By Madeline Finch

This investigative body is in charge of providing intelligence aimed at preventing crimes in the United States. Thus, its work usually goes beyond the borders and into other continents where they work to protect their country from external aggression. There is some kind of desire by a lot of people to know FBI secrets. Indeed, a lot of the organization work is kept much hidden.

The activities of the agency being mainly of intelligence nature are usually hidden from public view as much as possible. The intricacies involved in these investigations may sometimes not follow the paths that they should. Hence, some events may happen that if revealed could damage the reputation of the body. There are also potential security threats with leaked information.

There are insiders who reveal all the happenings that people have been thirsting to know. They uncover the most closely guarded stories about the operations carried out by the agency. Hence, people get to know some of the facts about events that happened around famous criminal stories.

These pieces of information come in handy for anyone who might have wanted to know the workings of a body. A lot of the times, people are mystified about the way the body operates in other countries. There are potentially explosive scenarios that these people have to pass through to protect their country. These stories are told to the public and they get to know the prowess of those who guard their security.

Another advantage that comes with this publicizing these stories is that the agency then gets to know that they are being watched. They will therefore take their work more keenly as they are aware that a lot of people are carefully monitoring their back and even their hidden missions may someday come to light.

The body will also strive for excellence in their work with the knowledge that there might be a possibility of their activities being known. This means they will assume their roles of safeguarding their country with more zeal than ever before. Everyone can then be sure of better protection. Talk of checks and balances.

Political influence is also usually at play in the activities of a body. Politicians are in charge of making the laws that regulate the activities of this body. They can therefore also be said to have some influence in some of the work this agency does. When such details are revealed, it means that the public can then fully determine the future of public figure.

The work of investigative bodies is usually complex. They are a mystery to the public. They raise a lot of curiosity especially when scandals are suspected. FBI secrets give all the details surrounding the happenings of such events. Therefore, the saying that nothing gets hidden forever applies to even this highly rated body. However, much as there is a desire to spill the beans, there is a need not to go over board as to create potentially inflamed opinions. Therefore, it needs the work of a former insider who appreciates the fact that security of a body is paramount to make these revelations in a careful manner.

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If You Are Interested In Political T Shirts Conservative Politics Might Interest You

By Tameka Ware

If you have an interest in political T shirts conservative politics maybe . There are many sources where you could obtain information about conservative issues. It is important however to make sure that the sources of your information are reliable and the Chevenement. Sometimes there are efforts to intentionally mislead individuals of a particular political persuasion.

It is always a good idea to be careful regarding the sources where one obtains their information on statements or positions. The sources that are available sometimes are clearly unreliable based on the nature of the source itself. In order to gauge the legitimacy of the source one May sometimes only need to consider its foundation.

On other occasions when the source clearly appears to be making efforts to mislead its audience one should be careful to stay away from them. . These instances may be as a result of efforts by individuals to provide this information with the specific intent of providing misleading content. There are a wide range of reasons why sources may want to disseminate incorrect content.

Efforts to mislead audiences may be sourced from subscribers to specific affiliations who would like to intentionally mislead voters before a key election. There will usually be a surge in this kind of information before election periods. During these times voters should be careful about the information that is being disseminated

Sometimes such information may be disseminated as a result of utter ignorance. In such cases the sources of information may be themselves subject to misinformation that they are simply regurgitating. It is wise to view every source skeptically when looking for detail regarding a political position from any source.

When looking for information regarding a position one should try to steer clear from certain sources and limit their research to sources have a reputation for providing information that is reliable. The options available for resources that provide reliable content are abundant. One only needs to do some research into where to locate these sources.

Organizations that have no particular affiliation to a party can be a potential source of information that is more reliable than most. There is an abundance of such organizations and they can be located in a fairly easy fashion. Online searches are one way that such organizations can be located.

Sources that do not have affiliations are more likely to provide unbiased content to their audience. Their motivations are much more likely to be born out of true quests for an understanding of the topic rather than a need to vanquish the opponent in an election contest. It is more likely that the sources will provide reliable content. Another source of unbiased content may be independent government agencies that are charged with specifically providing information about candidates.

In the event that an individual chooses to get their information from political T shirts conservative and liberal information is available through these media as well. When exposed to such media individuals must be careful about how they filter the content. Some content may be utterly frivolous whereas other content may have legitimate political value. Sometimes there may be a clear distinction regarding the intent of the T-shirt however in other cases one may need to make an effort to understand the T-shirts intent.

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Prop 33 Is Backed by One Insurance Billionaire

By Saul Furrer

Proposition 33 will allow insurance companies to raise rates on Californians with perfect driving records who have a break in insurance coverage for almost any reason, even if they weren't driving at the time. Three more California newspapers, the Stockton Record, La Opinion, and the Chico News & Review, have joined the flood of papers urging voters to reject Proposition 33, the ballot measure sponsored by one insurance billionaire to raise car insurance rates on good drivers.

99.5% of the funds behind Prop 33, $16.4 million, was given by insurance billionaire George Joseph the chairman of Mercury Insurance. Mercury sponsored an almost identical initiative just two years ago, Prop 17, which was rejected by the voters.

The Stockton Record says: "Don't let Prop 33 fool you. Measure would most likely raise rates on auto insurance for everyone. ...What's in it for Joseph and the big insurance company he heads? The short answer is money."

The Chico News & Review says: "Throw away this lemon, Proposition 33 is just a retread of an earlier loser, 2010's Proposition 17. ...If 33 passes, it will allow [George Joseph] to cherry-pick the customers he wants and raise rates for millions of California motorists, many of whom have perfect driving records."

La Opinion says (translated): "It troubles us that it will increase the cost of insurance for the most financially vulnerable and that the initiative's final impact will be more uninsured drivers on the road."

The editorial boards recommending a No vote on it include, in part: The Sacramento Bee, Los Angeles Times, San Francisco Chronicle, San Diego Union-Tribune, Bakersfield Californian, San Jose Mercury News, Riverside Press-Enterprise, Long Beach Press-Telegram, Ventura County Star, Fresno Bee, North County Times, Contra Costa Times, Daily Breeze, San Bernardino Sun, Santa Rosa Press Democrat, Los Angeles Daily News, Santa Cruz Sentinel, Santa Clarita Valley Signal, San Francisco Bay Guardian, Sacramento News & Review, Bell Gardens Sun, Stockton Record, La Opinion, Chico News & Review, Pasadena Journal, Beverly Hills Courier and the San Gabriel Valley Tribune.

Proposition 33 would overturn a law that has protected consumers against auto insurance discrimination for 24 years, Proposition 103. That law prohibited insurance companies from raising car insurance rates on the basis of insurance history, and has saved drivers $62 billion since voters enacted it at the ballot in 1988.

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Will The Modern Gold Rush Help Or Harm Haiti Reconstruction

By Tameka Ware

The Republic of Haiti is a Francophone country occupying the western third of the Caribbean island of Hispaniola. In 2010, the country suffered a catastrophic earthquake that damaged communications, hospitals, roads and residences. The government reported more than 300,000 deaths, 300,000 injuries and over a million people made homeless. The Haiti Reconstruction effort since that event has been hampered by the relentless pounding the island receives each year from the multiple powerful hurricanes that form off the west coast of Africa each year.

Haiti is the poorest country in North and South America combined, according to the Human Development Index. On the plus side, USD 20 billion in precious metal reserves (copper, silver and gold) has recently been found in the Haitian hills. This could provide a much-needed boost to efforts to rebuild the country.

Unless the government takes firm action, however, shrewd mining interests could usurp the interests of the locals and make away with the profit without benefiting the host nation. According to the watchdog consortium, Haiti Grassroots Watch, North American mining companies are forging backroom deals, promoting hidden agendas and conducting covert digging and testing operations.

Strictly speaking, the law of the land dictates that all subsoil resources are the property of the indigenous population. In the process of drawing attention to these nefarious activities, a prominent state geologist was relieved of his post. He warned that unless the government enacted tougher laws and made strict contracts, profit from the rich seams would not go to where it should.

Fortunately, there is more to rebuilding this tiny country than just the recent discovery of the rich seams of metals. Those were a serendipitous accident. A two-phase action plan to transform the nation into a stable democratic player in the global economy, called Haiti 2030, was established soon after the devastating quake in 2010. With 58 long, medium and short-term projects in the pipeline, the plan aims to propel the country into a far better position than the bleak, impoverished state it was in prior to the disaster.

A watershed in the country's development, the 2010 earthquake could turn out to be a blessing in disguise. Apart from Haiti 2030, the Haiti Reconstruction Fund ('the Fund' or HRF for short) is a collaborative effort between the World Bank, the Inter-American Development Bank (IDB) and the United Nations. The aim of the consortium is to bolster the government's post-quake restoration plan.

The restoration process is already showing promising fruit. Recently, on October 23, 2012, US Secretary of State, Hilary Clinton, alongside her husband and former US President Bill Clinton, were present at the launch of a new industrial park in the northern town of Caracol. Already, a Sough Korean clothing maker has plans to set up a plant there. As many as five thousand new homes will be built and 20,000 jobs will be created. The United States itself has invested $124 million in the new project.

While the 'Gold Rush' is excellent news, the Haiti Reconstruction program is making healthy progress on its own. The people and their government must remain vigilant and take urgent action, however, to ensure that the country's growth is not hijacked by outside interests.

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Positive And Negative Effects Offered By Trade Unions

By Tameka Ware

The dawn of the nineteenth century has seen radical movements set by ideologies geared towards empowerment of the working class. This has been set forth by views on social evolution by Karl Marx. It sees their empowerment as the future stages of society. Despite the debacle of that revolutionary idea, many organizations fighting for the right of laborers such as unions Australia are coming strong and are already accepted legally worldwide.

There has been much debate as to whether these groups are effective in providing a balance for the workers and the capitalist. An agreement is made between the two groups which is called a collective bargaining. Looking at the Pros and Cons of the effects of such groups in companies will help one decide if they are indeed beneficial or not.

It is evident that the immediate effect this has on workers is their empowerment. Gone are the days of oppression. Where there was once meager salary, there is now a sustainable income. Some even exceeds the minimum wage. Working conditions were better than before, compensation and benefits are given. Their voice and opinions are already heard.

To settle disputes and demands, a conference is being held. Here, laborers are able to express their side to the management. A settlement will then be made by meeting halfway between the demands of the employers and the employees. This collective bargaining agreement is deemed to be effective provided that the management is not that greedy to withhold what should be rightfully given.

Reasonable salary increases were seen because of the movements of these group. More benefits which includes specific number of rest days, working hours, and health insurances were given. This was hard to get before when workers, specially those in small companies, did not form unions yet.

For every advantage reaped, there were also some negative results. This can be seen in terms of productivity. Contended workers whose pleas were heeded were satisfied and given that, they were able to work more in support of the management for the good of all. However, when these claims were not met, there were rebellions and this could be seen through less work output.

The dark sides of these unions can be seen during strikes. These happen when certain demands are not met. Strikes are one of the most effective tools used by labor groups to force owners to give in to their demands. These claims may be reasonable but the company, which is their source of livelihood, suffers when all productions are halted. This may boomerang back to the employee causing loss of jobs.

The good side of having a higher wage is also counterbalanced by another negative effect. When a higher pay is demanded and given, an employer would lose profit if it cannot balance its cost of labor with profits. The only alternative would be retrenchment. Others will have higher pays while others will have to lose their job to pay for it.

Worldwide, labor groups like unions Australia are still struggling against oppression. A balance between a union and a company is needed for a reasonable working relation. The success of these groups would then have to depend on that balance.

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