Here's some more news about a powerful institution/business profiting from it's incompetence, greed and disregard for even basic standards of professionalism.

KBR Got Bonuses for Work that Killed Soldiers
By Jeremy Scahill

May 20, 2009

This information was revealed at a hearing of the Senate Democratic Policy Committee. According to the committee's chair, Sen. Byron Dorgan, the rewards KBR received under its LOGCAP contracts were supposed to be for work of the "highest quality" with "no deficiencies" or problems. Dorgan said KBR's work was "shoddy" and "unprofessional." Some eighteen US soldiers have died since 2003 as a result of KBR's "shoddy work," according to Sen. Frank Lautenberg. KBR/Halliburton, of which **** Cheney was chairman and CEO from 1995 to 2000, has been the single largest corporate beneficiary of the US wars in Iraq and Afghanistan. It continues to operate globally on US government contracts.

Charles Smith, the former Army official who managed the contracts under which KBR performed electrical work in Iraq, testified that it was "highly inappropriate" that KBR received these bonuses for what he called "dangerously substandard" work. He said that the Army was well aware of KBR's "poor performance" since the beginning of the Iraq invasion, and yet continued to reward KBR because the military was "afraid" KBR would cease work. He said there was "a culture that decided KBR was too big to fail and too important to be held to account." The "perverse incentive is that there was no incentive" for KBR to do quality work because they received bonuses for poor work.

Senator Dorgan said there are "tens of thousands of examples" of unnecessary risks to US soldiers, including deaths that have arisen as a result of KBR's work. "Why should [KBR] be getting more contracts now that we know all this information?" asked Sen. Bob Casey. "The Defense Department has not answered these questions."

James Childs, a master electrician hired by the Army to review electrical work in Iraq during 2008, testified that KBR's work in Iraq was the "most hazardous, worst quality work" he'd ever seen. He said his investigation found improper wiring in "every" building KBR wired in Iraq (of which there are thousands) and that KBR's rewiring work in buildings that were previously safely wired resulted in the electrical system becoming unsafe. Childs said that KBR did not do any work "according to code." He also testified that the same risks exist in Afghanistan, which he recently visited. "While doing inspections in Afghanistan, I found the exact same code violations," Childs said.

Eric Peters, a master electrician who worked for KBR in Iraq as recently as 2009, said that 50 percent of the KBR-managed buildings he saw were not properly wired. "I worried every day people would be injured or killed as a result of this work," Peters testified. He estimated that at least half the electricians hired by KBR--many of them cheaper-costing Third Country Nationals (TCNs)--to service the US military in Iraq would not have been hired to work in the United States, saying they were not trained in US or UK electrical standards. TCNs--from places like India, Bangladesh and Bosnia--are estimated to have done some 60 percent of the electrical work for KBR in Iraq. Peters charged that KBR allowed trainees to take notes in to certification tests, making it very easy to be cleared for work.

Peters also charged that KBR "frowned upon" any refusal to sign off on work that Peters deemed incomplete or unsafe. Peters and others who testified said that "all over theater," meaning everywhere in Iraq, KBR would effectively double-bill US taxpayers by leaving electrical work half-done or incorrectly done and then billing taxpayers again to repair its own shoddy work.

Peters characterized KBR managers as "completely unqualified" and said he is not a "disgruntled former employee" but rather a "disgusted former employee."

http://www.thenation.com/doc/20090601/scahill?rel=rightsideaccordian

Ahh...the false victim and wanna-be poster child of the right was sentenced to probation.

Hope she goes on the the future she so richly deserves.

Probation for McCain volunteer in fake Pa. attack

2 hours ago

PITTSBURGH (AP) — A former John McCain campaign volunteer who falsely claimed she was attacked in Pittsburgh because she had the candidate's bumper sticker on her car has been sentenced to nine months of probation.

Police say 21-year-old Ashley Todd falsely claimed a Barack Obama supporter robbed and assaulted her near an automatic teller machine in October, scratching a backward "B" onto her cheek in the process.

Todd, of College Station, Texas, will enter a probation program for first-time offenders. If she completes the program without incident, her arrest record will be expunged. An Allegheny County judge on Friday also ordered her to perform 50 hours of community service.

She didn't comment as she left the courtroom.

If you don't see the difference between a child molester and molesters who abuse the relationship of the clergy with it's practitioners to acquire and abuse children within an institution that knowingly and systematically harbors and protects hundreds and maybe thousands of child molesting monsters using the resources of the richest institution on earth then you really are rather simple.

I think one of the reasons the republicans have toned down the yelling is that as facts emerge about these so called briefings it is looking more and more like the CIA's assertions that members of congress were fully briefed is crap.

The republicans just a week ago, smelling blood in the water, asserted loudly that they were shocked...simply shocked that anyone would say that the CIA would lie.

Republicans were talking about the CIA calling them brave fighters of terrorism and pillars of patriotism and attempting to paint anyone who questioned the CIA as un-American loudly to anyone they could.

Are these guys all what...fifteen years old or something? I guess they are..I mean seriously...the CIA lie to congress...that hasn't happened in recent memory right...anyone recall Nicaragua?

If you haven't seen the picture you should have a look.

So...must be something wrong with pointing fingers. After all why mention the systematic large scale abuse of children and the churches protection of known monsters...if it makes some religious people uncomfortable better to remain silent right?

Makes me want to throw up.

After all, I don't imagine the generations of children who were victims of rape and beatings in the very place they should have been safe and nurtured were made uncomfortable at all. /sarcasm on

Why talk about this? Why point fingers?

Maybe so these monsters will be charged and held at account for their actions, maybe so alternative homes can be found, maybe so tax dollars aren't spent supporting pedophiles, maybe so the tithing of good faithful people aren't spent supporting pedophiles, maybe so children lives aren't ruined, maybe so people think twice before sending a child to one of these institutions, maybe so people quit donating to these institutions....there are just a few reasons to point fingers at these monsters who hide behind the illusion of faithful Christian charity.

Today I see this...a friggin' support group for women who are having sex with priests.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

500 women in secret affairs with priests: support group

* May 22, 2009

At least 500 women in Ireland are conducting clandestine affairs with Catholic priests, says the leader of a support group set up to look after those in forbidden relationships.

Bishop Pat Buckley said a conservative estimate was that one in 10 of the 5000 priests enjoyed regular sex with women and some even referred to their clerical collar as the "bird catcher".

Studies had shown that 80 per cent of priests had broken their vows of celibacy, he said.

Bishop Buckley runs the Bethany organisation, which he set up to support those in love affairs with the clergy.

Described as Ireland's rebel bishop, he was sidelined by the Catholic church in the mid-1980s when he pursued his own ministry for those who felt alienated by the traditional church.

Including practising homosexuals, Bishop Buckley said up to 40 per cent of the Catholic clergy in Ireland were sexually active.

His claims come as the shocking scale of sexual and physical abuse in Catholic education institutions reverberated throughout Ireland, victims' groups expressed anger at the failure of a commission of inquiry to recommend any criminal prosecutions.

The 2600-page report by Ireland's Commission to Inquire Into Child Abuse found that for decades rape was "endemic" in more than 250 Irish Catholic care institutions from the 1930s to the 1990s, and that the church protected pedophiles in its ranks from arrest.

"A climate of fear, created by pervasive, excessive and arbitrary punishment, permeated most of the institutions and all those run for boys. Children lived with the daily terror of not knowing where the next beating was coming from," it said.

Children in industrial schools and reformatories were treated more like convicts and slaves than people with human rights, it said. Rape was particularly common in boys homes and industrial schools run by the Christian Brothers.

There were angry scenes outside the hotel in Dublin where the report was launched after about 20 former residents of industrial schools were prevented from attending the press conference.

Speaking outside the hotel, John Kelly, of the Irish Survivors of Child Abuse group, Soca, said: "We were treated as criminals as children when we were sent to these places and even now … there were Garda officers on call to arrest us if we tried to get in. It was an absolute disgrace."

Mr Kelly called the report's failure to recommend criminal prosecutions a whitewash.

The five-volume report confirmed allegations from thousands of former pupils from the institutions, finding that beatings in institutions run by priests and nuns were commonplace.

"In some schools, a high level of ritualised beating was routine … Girls were struck with implements designed to maximise pain and were struck on all parts of the body," the report said. It also criticised the failure of the Irish state, most notably the department of education, for allowing the abuse and exploitation to continue for decades.

The department aided this culture "through infrequent, toothless inspectors" that always deferred to the Catholic church's authority, the report said. The inspections even failed to ensure that children were adequately fed, clothed and educated.

After the revelations of systematic clerical abuse, Pope Benedict was challenged to hold a Vatican inquiry into the role of Catholic religious orders in Ireland's orphanages and industrial schools. Irish Soca said it was now up to the Vatican to investigate the scandal further.

The new leader of Catholics in England and Wales, the Most Reverend Vincent Nichols, also provoked outrage by describing Irish clergy who admitted abusing children as courageous for facing up to their pasts.

In an interview broadcast on British television, he said: "I think of those in religious orders … who have to face these facts from their past, which instinctively and quite naturally they'd rather not look at. That takes courage, and also we shouldn't forget that this account today will also overshadow all of the good that they also did."

The controversy threatened to overshadow the installation of the bishop, due to be attended by more than 2200 guests including the Archbishop of Canterbury, Rowan Williams.
A second damning report, due to be published in June, will detail the abuse of hundreds of children in the Dublin archdiocese from 1940.

Okay, this is pretty funny.

Lampe legislation a 'counter to hate'

Chad Livengood • News-Leader • May 17, 2009

Lawmakers renamed a section of highway in Springfield that a neo-Nazi group adopted to keep litter-free after a Jewish civil rights leader.

Rep. Sara Lampe, D-Springfield, got an amendment added to a transportation bill to rename a portion of West Bypass from Farm Road 142 to West Sunshine the "Rabbi Abraham Joshua Heschel Memorial Highway." Heschel marched with Martin Luther King Jr. at the Selma, Ala., Civil Rights march in 1965.

Lampe said she asked Jewish groups to nominate a religious figure to counter the Springfield unit of the National Socialist Movement, which adopted the section of road.

"It's a counter to hate," Lampe said.

Two signs noting the National Socialist Movement's participation in the Adopt-A-Highway program went up last October. The Missouri Department of Transportation could not turn down the group's application to be in the program based of its views because of the group's First Amendment right.

A Jewish organization in Kansas City will pay for signs marking the memorial highway along the same stretch of road maintained by volunteers from the neo-Nazi group. "I'm leveling the playing field," Lampe said.

In HB683, Rep. Bob Dixon got a provision added to rename a one-mile portion of East Chestnut Expressway from the new airport entrance road to Interstate 44 the "Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Memorial Mile."

The United States already has over 200 terror suspects or those convicted of terrorist acts who are detained or serving time in the United States. More is different how?

For example where was the republican party howling when Bush in 2003 held "enemy combatant" Ali Saleh al-Marri as an Al Qaeda "sleeper" agent. Al-Marri was arrested at his home in Illinois three months after the 9/11 attacks and charged with terrorism. But in 2003, ex-President Bush turned him over to the U.S. military, which holds him without charge in a South Carolina Navy brig.

We do and have kept people who are extremely dangerous in our prisons. To date no prisoner has ever escaped a supermax prison.

Let's be honest...we don't even know who all these people are or what they have been accused of. Additionally, the political dog and pony show around this phrasing "release detainees into America" is patently ridiculous.

We do know there are seven Chinese men there who the United States government freely admits never engaged in any activities or terror plans against the United States.

http://cbs5.com/national/Guantanamo.Bay.uighurs.2.834535.html

Yes, in the case of the Chinese detainees, who are not accused of terror, planned terror or crimes against the United States, have been potentially accepted into a Chinese-American community in the U.S. the rest are not going to be walking down main street anywhere. They will be in custody.

So...keep biting on the fear hook folks and get ready as we are thrown on the shore,when we find ourselves gasping and dying having abandoned the rule of law and the very essence of what sets this country apart from those we call despots, terrorists and dictators to perish.

The thing that's really disgusting is that the accused criminal, the driver, in question will likely get a settlement because these officers abandoned professionalism and acted no better than criminals themselves engaging in mob mentality.

Just think...had they maintained their professionalism this guy would likely be going to jail for speeding, reckless driving, endangering the public, assault with the intent to do great bodily harm, maybe attempted murder along with a whole slew of other charges.

By acting outside the law the officers ensured a clearly dangerous and reckless person will likely not only go free but go free with a fatter wallet.

This video and what will likely unfold in it's aftermath is precisely why officers must act within the law at all times. Their firing was justified.

Nope...again...you missed it...but why am I not surprised

hahaha

whiskey tango foxtrot

Nah...you don't have it straight haha

Since they won't put a book forum on these boards I decided to but this here.

As long as there have been books, there have been people opposed to what is said in some of those books. Authors who challenge the accepted norms in their literature are often the target of angry people who do not understand or appreciate their literature. The following books are excellent examples of great literature that has become banned or challenged in an attempt to shield the public from what some see as inappropriate.

Protect the Children

These books have all been at the heart of controversy over their appropriateness for children and youth to read.

1. Catcher in the Rye by JD Salinger. Frequently a target of censorship, this classic coming-of-age story of a teenage boy in New York is often banned due to the language and sexuality–particularly a scene with a prostitute.
2. The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn by Mark Twain. Offensive language, in particular, one very racially-charged word, is the usual reason given for banning this book, which has been controversial since it was published in 1884. Twain’s famous story highlights the friendship between a white boy and a black man in a book that attempted to challenge the racism Twain saw around him.
3. Forever by Judy Blume. Blume is frequently the target of censorship as many of her books deal with teen issues revolving around becoming a sexual being. Forever documents a high school girl’s loss of virginity and delves into the emotional aspects of her choice.
4. The Golden Compass by Philip Pullman. This fantasy novel says much about friendship and loyalty, but it also says plenty about not following a religion blindly. Many have seen the book as anti-religion and have banned the book.
5. Lord of the Flies by William Golding. Most who oppose this book claim the violence, language, and the implication that man is little more than an animal as the reasons. The book depicts a microcosm of society played out on an island populated by young boys stranded there and trying to survive. The struggle between good and evil and the exploration of human nature can force readers to examine themselves in ways that may not feel comfortable.
6. The Harry Potter series by JK Rowling. Some parents object to the magic and wizardry that is at the heart of the Harry Potter books. Because of their objections, many schools and libraries have banned these books.
7. Bridge to Terabithia by Katherine Paterson. A powerful book that explores friendship, life, and death, this book is often banned due to what some feel is offensive language and scenes of witchcraft which some believe promotes disobeying authority as well as anti-religious sentiments. Oddly, the theme of death, which is a major element in the novel, is also used as a reason to ban this book.
8. James and the Giant Peach by Roald Dahl. This book depicts a child who lives under the oppression of mean caretakers and relies on his creativity and an alternate world in order to survive. Those opposed to the book dislike the violence, language, and disobedience towards adults.
9. And Tango Makes Three by Peter Parnell and Justin Richardson. This children’s story tells of two male penguins at a zoo who care for an egg together. Despite the reality that male penguins bond together to care for their eggs in nature and that the two characters in the book are based on actual penguins from the Central Park Zoo, the idea of two males creating a family has forced many to ban the book due to reasons of homosexuality and anti-family issues.
10. A Wrinkle in Time by Madeleine L’Engle. The bonds of family and friendship are at the heart of this novel, but it also highlights the battle of good and evil and brings in supernatural spirits, therefore making it a target for those worried about the religious implications they feel the novel makes.
11. The Chocolate War by Robert Cormier. Selling chocolates as a fundraiser at school not only sets off fictional turmoil in this book, but it also prompts parents to challenge the book. Reasons given include language, violence, resisting authority, and sexuality.
12. The Giver by Lois Lowery. The award-winning book that depicts a society driven to maintain an amazing amount of control over its members, including euthanasia and suicide. Some parents have reacted strongly to these themes in the book and have taken the book as an endorsement for killing.

Religion and Politics

Banned by governments, taken off shelves at libraries, and removed from schools, these books have been contested because of the way they portray religion or politics.

13. The Satanic Verses by Salman Rushdie. This book of magical realism describes a battle between God and the devil through the depiction of two men who go through fantastical journeys. This book was so reviled by several governments and religious leaders in Asia and the Middle East that a fatwa was issued against Rushdie, who had to live in hiding for many years in order to avoid being killed.
14. A Prayer for Owen Meany by John Irving. Irving’s book is a powerful one that highlights the loyalty and bonds of friendship and family in a poignant and humorous manner. Some feel that the stance Irving takes on religion and opposition to US in Vietnam are reason enough to ban this incredible book.
15. The Grapes of Wrath by John Steinbeck. When this book was originally banned in California for obscenity. However, there is evidence that shows the censorship was lead by wealthy landowners who did not want their treatment of their workers to become highlighted from the very realistic accounts in Steinbeck’s novel.
16. Uncle Tom’s Cabin by Harriett Beecher Stowe. When this book was published in1851, it was criticized by slavery supporters and described as a false depiction of slavery. The importance and relevance of this novel has survived the censorship it has experienced to allow current generations to learn from their ancestors’ mistakes.
17. The Lorax by Dr. Seuss. On the surface this book seems it should be included in the Protect the Children section, but the reason this Dr. Seuss book is banned has more to do with adult issues. The book is an allegorical story describing the effects of poor stewardship on the Earth. Those opposed to the book, specifically some in California, feel it shows an unfair portrayal of those in the logging industry.
18. The Da Vinci Code by Dan Brown. This popular thriller is a work of fiction, but that doesn’t mean any less to those opposed to it. Catholic leaders have banned The Da Vinci Code for what it sees as its anti-Christian sentiment and for the portrayal of Christ in a physical relationship with Mary Magdalene–even having children together.
19. 1984 by George Orwell. Perhaps one of the most famous dystopian novels written, 1984 was published in the early part of the 20th century with a warning to society that has become eerily true. The book has been banned in the past due to pro-communist sentiment and sexuality.
20. Animal Farm by George Orwell. This satirical allegory was initially banned in the Soviet Union because of its anti-Stalinism, but has also been challenged in America by parents fearful that their children will be exposed to the communist sentiment expressed in the introduction and the text.
21. Gulliver’s Travels by Jonathan Swift. Underlying themes in this famous work include political corruption, anti-war sentiments, and the injustices of colonization. It’s no wonder this book has been banned in several countries and Swift had to publish it anonymously.
22. Candide by Voltaire. Politics, war, colonialism, and religion are all sharply skewered with the satire in Candide. Since it’s publication in 1759 through the 20th century, this book was banned by several countries.

Sex

Perhaps the most popular reason a book is banned or challenged, the following books all portray sexuality in a way that has made some uncomfortable.

23. Lady Chatterley’s Lover by DH Lawrence. Lawrence’s book tells the story of an adulterous love affair and includes explicit sexual language. It was banned in the UK and Lawrence eventually published in Italy, where the first edition sold out immediately.
24. Tropic of Cancer by Henry Miller. Miller’s novel was banned in Great Britain and the US due to the sexuality described in the book. Miller eventually had his autobiographical account of living in Paris published in France.
25. Fanny Hill by John Cleland. Considered the first erotic novel published in English, Fanny Hill describes the sexual exploits of a woman who begins with selling her virginity and eventually ends up a prostitute by trade. Besides the typical sexuality described in the book, there are also instances of homosexuality (both with men and women), masturbation, and sadomasochism.
26. Leaves of Grass by Walt Whitman. Whitman published several versions of this book filled with his poetry that often celebrates sexuality, both homosexual and heterosexual. From the late 1800’s to the present day, these poems have faced challenges to be read.
27. The Great Gatsby by F Scott Fitzgerald. New wealth, old relationships, and a society trying to find itself are at the center of this novel. Opponents of this work cite sexual references and profanity in the book.
28. Brave New World by Aldous Huxley. Huxley’s dystopian view of society depicts adults dulling their senses with pacifying drugs and casual sex. What Huxley uses as a tool to illustrate what he felt was wrong with society is exactly what those opposed to the book latch on to when challenging it.
29. The Kite Runner by Khaled Hosseini. Hosseini’s beautiful book of friendship and loyalty examines the life of two boys in Afghanistan who come from two widely differing classes. Besides the Afghanistan government’s upset over the content of the book, others around the world have challenged the book due to claims of offensive language and a sexually explicit scene in which a young boy is raped.
30. Flowers for Algernon by Daniel Keyes. This touching story of Charlie, a mentally challenged young man who participates in a scientific experiment to raise his intelligence, portrays the awakening both intellectually and emotionally of the man. A part of this awakening includes exploration of his sexuality, which has prompted many to want the book banned.
31. The Awakening by Kate Chopin. Chopin’s short novel tells the tale of a married woman who discovers herself and explores her newfound freedom through bucking societal expectations, having an adulterous affair, and eventually opting for suicide as a way to preserve her freedom and not become a slave to a life she detested. Opponents object to the sexuality.
32. Madame Bovary by Gustave Flaubert. Trapped in a loveless and unfulfilling marriage, Madame Bovary engages in adulterous affairs in an attempt to find happiness. The sexuality in the book prompted many countries to ban the book on the basis of its being immoral.
33. Rabbit, Run by John Updike. The main character, 20-something Rabbit, runs to escape the constraints of family life and becomes involved with a prostitute, an ex-girlfriend, and others as he deals with the issues surrounding his marriage. A direct result of the oppressive social atmosphere of the 1950’s, Rabbit, Run includes many sexual depictions that offended quite a few people.
34. Anne Frank: Diary of a Young Girl by Anne Frank. This classic autobiography is taught in almost every school in America, but that doesn’t mean it hasn’t faced its challenges. Parents have protested against this book as being too sexually charged, pornographic, and even claiming it was too depressing to be taught.
35. Lolita by Vladmir Nabokov. First published by a pornographic press in France, Nabokov explores the life of Humbert Humbert, a pedophile who runs away with the 12 year-old daughter of his landlady. The book was banned from many countries and still experiences challenges today.

Race and Gender Issues

Racism or the treatment of women are the driving forces behind having these books removed from the public eye.

36. To Kill a Mockingbird by Harper Lee. Racism, language, and a rape scene are the usual culprits when banning this book. In reality, Lee was highlighting the rampant racism of her time in this much beloved book in an attempt to change the wrongs she saw in society.
37. Of Mice and Men by John Steinbeck. Steinbeck’s portrayal of an unusual friendship between two men, one of whom is developmentally challenged, has prompted many to oppose the book due to the language, social and racial implications, and violence in the book.
38. The Color Purple by Alice Walker. Some of the reasons this book is challenged include the violence, profanity, and sexuality in the book, including a rape scene, but most importantly are the race relations that Walker depict. Racism is difficult to face for many and the reaction to ban literature that depicts it is a strong one.
39. I Know Why the Caged Bird Sings by Maya Angelou. Sexual content, racism, offensive language, violence are the most popular reasons this book is challenged and continues to be today. Angelou’s autobiographical book is both shocking and beautiful as she recounts the experiences of her early life as she endured racism, abuse, and other challenges she eventually overcame.
40. Little Women by Louisa May Alcott. Perhaps one of the most surprising books on banned book lists, Little Women is a very wholesome depiction of a family of four sisters who struggle in poverty but are rich in love and familial ties. The reason the book is challenged may be based on what some view as punishment of the one character who has a strong feminist approach by her marriage to a boring and much older man.
41. Catch-22 by Joseph Heller. This anti-war satire is surprisingly not challenged due to that theme, but because of the depiction of women in the novel. The word "whore" is used frequently and there have been claims that the book promotes misogyny.

Multiple Reasons

Sometimes a book is so controversial or so powerfully written that it hits people on several different levels. These books have been banned for many different reasons, usually including profanity, violence, and sexuality.

42. Fahrenheit 451 by Ray Bradbury. Perhaps the most ironic banned book situation, Fahrenheit 451 deals with the issue of censorship in a dystopian society that sends firefighters out to burn down houses discovered to have books inside. Those opposed to this book claim various reasons for banning it including profanity, portrayal of smoking and drinking, and anti-religious and anti-establishment sentiments.
43. Native Son by Richard Wright. Violence, sex, and profanity are the reasons this book is frequently banned. The hard depiction of life in the novel highlights the hopelessness and racism suffered by one man and illustrates what happens to a man caught in a society that marginalizes him.
44. Beloved by Toni Morrison. Morrison’s book about an escaped slave who rears her children in a world of fright and lack of freedom includes instances of violence and sexual abuse. On the surface, the book may appear to contain gratuitous scenes, Morrison ties everything together in a cautionary reminder for society to heed the mistakes of the past.
45. As I Lay Dying by William Faulkner. This masterpiece of American literature explores the physical and mental journey of those oppressed by a life of poverty. The reasons many feel the need to ban this book include the references Faulkner makes to masturbation, abortion, and questioning the existence of God as well as profanity.
46. One Flew Over the Cuckoo’s Nest by Ken Kessey. Telling the story of a group of mentally ill patients in an oppressive hospital, this story explores what happens when someone stands up to that oppression in order to create a more equanimous situation, moral choice everyone must face, and forming friendships despite hardship. Those opposed to Kessey’s novel claim it glorifies criminal activity, is "garbage," includes bizarre torture, bad language, bestiality, and promotes secular humanism.
47. The Handmaid’s Tale by Margaret Atwood. This dystopian story tells of a society run by men that remove all freedom from women and class them according to what purpose they can serve for the men. The story is told from the perspective of a handmaiden, or a women who is used solely for providing babies to wealthy couples. Those opposed to the book claim it is anti-Christian and pornographic.
48. In Cold Blood by Truman Capote. This true story details the violent murder of an entire family by two criminals in search of money that they were wrongly informed existed at the family’s farmhouse. This book is considered to be the first true crime book, and upon its publication, many were appalled by the violence depicted in the book for what seemed no good reason.
49. Slaughterhouse Five by Kurt Vonnegut. Vonnegut’s book about a time-traveling prisoner of war who has no control of where he will end up next has faced challenges against what opponents feel is unnecessary sex, violence, language, anti-religion, torture, ethnic spurs, and misogyny.
50. East of Eden by John Steinbeck. The battle of good and evil in humanity is the major theme in this powerful novel that parallels the book of Genesis in the Bible. The book has been challenged as an obscenity that is ungodly.

http://onlinecollegedegree.org/2009/05/20/50-banned-books-that-everyone-should-read/

How did I just know my post would be interpreted that way...

Okay...now I am going to post making fun of atheists.

How silly is this? Getting together on Sunday morning to talk about not embracing organized religion seems abit like embracing organized religion to me haha

Parents gather to nurture nonbelief
By YONAT SHIMRON - McClatchy Newspapers


RALEIGH, N.C. -- On Sunday mornings, when many of their contemporaries are taking their seats in church pews, a group of young parents mingle in the living room of a suburban home while their children run around playing games.

This congregation of Raleigh-Durham, N.C., triangle residents has no creed or ceremony, just a desire to get together and offer each other support for rearing children without religion. Taking their cue from a primer of the same name, they call themselves Parenting Beyond Belief, and they meet nearly every Sunday, in a city park, an indoor playground or in people's homes.

Americans unaffiliated with any particular faith have grown faster than any religious group according to two recent surveys of the U.S. religious landscape. These "unaffiliated" have doubled in the past 20 years and now account for 16 percent of the population.

Increasingly, they are vocal about their nonbelief and eager to speak out about it.

"No one should be alone in their disbelief," said Keri Rush, 40, of Wake Forest, N.C.

Not everyone in the group is an atheist. Some prefer to call themselves "freethinkers" or "humanists," or "spiritual but not religious." Some are even believers. But they share a disdain for organized religion and a desire to rear their children with the tools to think for themselves.

Answering questions:

These parents know what it's like to fumble for the right answer to questions such as "Why don't we go to church?" and "Is God real?" and they want to share their responses with like-minded parents.

For example, when 6-year-old Evan Spiering announced one day that "God created the world," his father, Todd Spiering, answered, "Grandpa believes that. Some people believe other things."

Spiering, 31, a self-employed carpenter who hosted the gathering Sunday, said he wants his three children to question and probe.

"We don't have to act like we have it all figured out," Spiering said. "I'm more comfortable not knowing."

Only Minneapolis had a parenting group for nonbelievers when Dale McGowan, the Atlanta-based author of "Parenting Beyond Belief," set out to write his book three years ago. Today, there are at least 32 nationwide by his count - the Raleigh chapter being among the most active. A father of three children, McGowan said the idea for the book came to him when his son began asking questions. "I felt like I was shooting in the dark and needed guidance," he said.

Though only the Raleigh group takes its name from the book, the parenting groups consist of families wanting some kind of community to replace the religious one they left behind or grew up without. At last count, 71 people were on the e-mail list.

This group also wants to provide their children the opportunity to be with children from similar homes. On Sunday, parents ladled a cheesy chicken soup into bowls, while the children noshed on crackers, tortilla chips or sandwiches.

Atheism coming out:

It's not always easy being an atheist. A 2008 Gallup poll found that only Scientologists fared worse than atheists in the public's views. Both groups ranked at the bottom of the favorability list. Those attitudes are more hardened in the South, where polls show more people identify as religious than in any other part of the country.

"Where I work, I'm not really out as an atheist," Bruce Harris, 36, a graphic designer who lives in Cary, said during the gathering Sunday. "My boss assumes that everyone around him has some religion. It doesn't occur to him that there are atheists."

The group, Harris said, provides him an opportunity to be himself. "You don't have to walk on eggshells," he said.

A spate of books by atheists has helped ease some of the loneliness. Best-selling books such as Christopher Hitchens' "God is Not Great" and Richard Dawkins' "The God Delusion" have lent some respectability to nonbelievers, and at the least made their existence better known.

But members of the parenting group said they are not as strident as these writers. The Triangle is also home to several atheist groups, including one organized-like the parenting group - at www.meetup.com.

Several parents said they preferred the company of the nonreligious parent group. Whereas atheists are defined by what they don't believe, members of this group want to be known for their desire to raise caring, responsible, ethical children.

"People think if you don't believe in God you have no morals," said Niki Ashmont, a social worker from Zebulon who attended Sunday. "That's just not the case."

Again Yellow...please look at the size of the church and the incredible numbers of people who's lives have been affected by their criminal behavior.

Seriously...review the history of the church.

It's important when considering the corruption of the Catholic church to keep in mind the size and power of the institution.

I am sure there are corrupt people in every church, social organization, government etc. however there are few organizations or institutions that have held sway over so many people and governments.

Look at the role the church played in European history from it's inception to the present day. Anyone who thinks the church is not as powerful as it was then needs only to look at Ireland and south American...heck...look at how the church is dealt with here in the United States in regards to child abuse.

This is...or was the richest institution on the face of the earth. It's power should not be underestimated.

I don't see anyone here saying it is only one group...let's smarten up here...corruption in the church is systemic and well documented.

Abusers are protected, allowed to continue to work with children, moved, sheltered, promoted and not brought to account. These are not mere accusations on my part. The church has been caught at this again and again. In Ireland this time, in the United States and in Australia as well and that's just off the top of my head.

The Spanish Inquisition and the Crusades, the assassination of political opponents, the bastard children of even Popes being placed in political positions....all that and more has been directed from the Pope.

Like it or not the Catholic Church has a really spectacular history or crime, corruption, rape, bastard children, child molesting, political manipulation, war and death. These are not opinions of mine but facts.

about idiots that don't matter being tools for social outrage and false controversy designed to divide people we have...

TADA

This story from FOX about evangelicals affecting the American Idol vote in order to make sure one of their own won the competition.

Ummm nice hypocrisy there eh?

Contend the little Christian girl lost for speaking out against gay marriage (even though she was losing before the question was asked) and then celebrate this? hahah

Idiots...hypocrites...easily distracted empty headed...sheeple...

'Idol' Upset: Did The Evangelical Christian Vote Push Kris Allen Over The Edge?

Thursday, May 21, 2009
By Hollie McKay

Kris Allen was indeed the underdog going into the "American Idol" finale on Wednesday evening, and the vibe inside the Nokia Theater was definitely in favor of the more controversial, theatrical and incredibly "out there" California native Adam Lambert.

"Adam has the potential to be a star so overall you could say he deserves to win," Simon Cowell told Tarts on Wednesday afternoon. "But this is 'American Idol,' anything could happen and we could have an upset."

And an upset for Cowell it clearly was -- the outspoken judge was the only one not to give Allen a standing ovation when he was announced the 2009 winner as determined by a record-breaking 100 million votes.

VIDEO: Click here to see FOX & Friends' Brian Kilmeade chat with new 'Idol' Kris Allen. http://www.foxnews.com/story/0,2933,520989,00.html

So was it the Christian vote that prevailed in Allen's favor?

The 23-year-old UCA student has been on the worship team at New Life Church for years and helps with their outreach programs, but unlike previous winners such as Jordin Sparks and Carrie Underwood who made their faith very well known, Allen consciously refrained from making mention of his virtuous values throughout the competition.

"This is a singing competition, not a church thing," Allen told Tarts earlier this week while Lambert added that the "vote is based on talent and performing, not religion."

VIDEO: Click here to see Kilmeade chat with runner up Adam Lambert.

With Allen having shied away from the sectarian spotlight, his local church made up for it. The New Life Church in Greater Little Rock, Arkansas urged churchgoers to prayer and vote for the 'Idol' finalist, created a Facebook link on the church Web site in support of their hometown hero and his proud Pastor, Rick Bezet, flew to Los Angeles for the momentous finale.

"Kris has a personality type that is shown best in small groups and the public may not hear talking points about his faith, about himself, or his gifts," Pastor Bezet told Tarts on Wednesday. "He wins people over with authentic care and then he will share his faith at the right time, he tends to hold back on comments regarding himself. Some may think he is not confident in his humility, but Kris simply thinks more about others, but somehow not less about himself."

According to an 'Idol' insider, support for Kris most likely surged over the last week when Danny Gokey (who was extremely open about his involvement with the church) was voted off and thus Christians turned their full devotion to Allen who epitomizes the all-American, talented and moralistic role model.

Allen's surprise win may have also been a reflection of the growing market for Christian music. The Gospel Music Association recently reported that Christian/Gospel recorded music sales stand at almost half a billion annually and digital album sales were up 38 percent in 2008, while digital tracks were up over 37 percent.

"Churches go crazy with support! Thousands of churches twittering and facebooking! It's been a blast," Bezet also told us.

But when it comes to finding their 'Idol,' is America happiest without the bells and whistles?

"America had a grass roots campaign for a 'good ole boy!' There was just too much hype with Lambert. Everyone likes a person who just does the work," said Michael Sands, leading Hollywood Media Image Consultant. "I think the viewers would have been turned off if Kris pitched religion. The media picked up on Kris' Christian background so his handlers did not have to "force feed" the worldwide audience. The Christian belief is there sublimally, no over sell needed."

And even after conquering the biggest musical hurdle in television history, Allen was careful to play it cool ... and that cool attitude might be just what Allen needs to be propelled into stardom.

Talent manager Michael Schibel who runs The Schibel Group says Allen’s personality will be what takes him to the next level.

“Winning ‘American Idol’ has put him on a new level. His music got him in the door, but if he has a great personality, that will give him the chance to be a real star.”

But for now, Allen is ready to celebrate his victory.

"Everyone's really proud because not a lot happens in Arkansas so this is just one of the things they were really clinging onto," the reigning Idol told Tarts backstage after the announcement. "Hopefully I can celebrate by hanging out with friends and family, that would be great and college? I don't think I'll be going back anytime soon."

But Christian votes aside, Allen most likely scored alot of love from tweens and teens with his wholesome musical approach and good looks, and is already being marketed as a Zac Efron-type heart-throb. However, this 23-year-old student is newly married and looked particularly anxious backstage when his gorgeous blonde wife (who was excitedly trying to take pics with her hubby) was "conveniently" escorted away and needless to say, she didn't look too pleased about that either ...

Interesting spin in the OP.

Some info for you:

Usury

Definition: Usury is defined as the act of lending money at an unreasonably high interest rate, this rate is defined at the state level. Repayment of loans at a usurious rate makes repayment excessively difficult to impossible for borrowers. This is also called "loan sharking" or "predatory lending".

Usury has recently come back into legal conversations due to the emergence of payday loans and sub-prime lending. These types of loans are aimed at those who are at greater risk of defaulting, those with lower incomes. Payday loans are supposed to be used as short term loan to help people make it to their next paychecks by paying bills that are due before they receive it. Unfortunately these get abused and the lendees can get into further financial trouble.

Sub-prime loans, again, are for lower income individuals that are more at risk of not being able to fulfill their obligation in payments. These loans have higher rates, but obviously fall just below their state's usury level to be legal.

Many are now asking for changes in how we define usury to eliminate these types of loans.

The usury laws, predatory lending, and loan sharking rules apply more to local banks. Since the passing of a federal law stating that the state usury laws do not apply to banks that label themselves with the words "national", these banks have been able to offer loans above the state usury limit. These "national" banks are allowed to apply interest rates a number of points higher than the Federal Reserve Discount Rate. The Federal Reserve Discount Rate is the rate banks get when borrowing directly from the Federal Reserve Bank for short term funds.

However, at the Federal level, there is a criminal limit, as defined by Congress, for interest rates. This rate is twice the amount of the particular state's usury limit.

If you feel you are a victim of usury, or predatory lending, contact a lawyer or legal firm. Make sure they have experience with this type of financial law. Ask them if they have handled usury law cases, and what their results have been.

There are a number of different lending tactics that are considered predatory lending. Some lenders dispute whether these are unethical, often citing that consumers have choices of who they get their loans from. Below are the most common practices labeled "predatory".

Fees & APR. Common compaints on predatory lending involve fees incurred which are not included in the APR. Borrowers may not know they have a no-fee line of credit, or may not be able to get a no-fee line of credit. Lenders may take advantage of this by offering a reasonable interest rate, but tacking on a fee. The APR may appear attractive, but the fee is not considered in the APR, if it were the rate would appear significantly higher.

Risk-based lending. This is the practice of charging higher interest rates to the consumers who are labeled as high-risk, meaning there is a higher risk that the consumer will not be able to pay back the loan and thus default. Lenders argue they need the higher interest rates in order to offset the losses from those that default. Consumer groups, however, counter that the higher interest rates themselves make it more difficult for the individuals to pay back the loan, and the lenders are simply price-gouging.

Credit Insurance. Lenders will push single premium credit insurance stating that the insurance will pay off the loan if the homebuyer passes away. The cost of the insurance is often added to the loan, making it more appealing since it does not have to be paid in one lump sum. This makes the loan more expensive, and compounds the interest of the insurance over the life of the loan.

Interest Negotiation. Lenders often do not tell consumers that they may be able to negotiate the interest rate of the loan. By not communicating this to the consumer, the lending company increases profits.

http://www.usurylaw.com/

Yep, Red is right.

At risk of being pegged as hating religion or religious people yet again here I go...

Abuses in the Catholic Church begin virtually at it's inception. It is a politically and financially powerful institution that has been either directly or indirectly responsible for the injury and death of millions of individuals since it's creation. It is filled with hypocrites that have exploited people for centuries.

I really wonder why anyone is surprised by this news from Ireland.

Please...have a look at the history of the papacy, the politics and manipulations of the church and oh...while you are at it look at the Catholic church and the bible. Might open your eyes just a little bit.

I say with pride that I was the first person in my mothers family to refuse to be confirmed and who did not marry in the church.

It really does make me ill...considering the large numbers of good Catholic people that the institution is so corrupt.

Well for all you paranoid Obama will take our guns folks here is this.

The President sign a credit card bill with a rider today allowing concealed weapons into national parks.

Guess what ladies...a democratically controlled legislator and a democratic president did this...a feat conservatives couldn't pull off with majorities in the legislature and the Presidency for the last six years.

haha I watched him on The View the other day. It was fun to see him shut that dolt Elizabeth up with logical, reason and fact.