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Birthday Wishes
Apr. 23rd, 2007 06:47 amA very very happy birthday to my dear ![[livejournal.com profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/external/lj-userinfo.gif)
seattlejo. May your day be full of wonder and delight
seattlejo. May your day be full of wonder and delightApr. 23rd, 2007
(Thanks tepintzin!)
The VA has settled the suit that Americans United and several other groups brought against them, about allowing the pentacle on US Veterans memorial markers.
Press release here:
Settlement In Americans United Lawsuit Comes After Discovery Of A Pattern Of Bias Against Minority Faith
"Under the terms of the Circle Sanctuary v. Nicholson settlement, the federal government will recognize the right of Wiccans to have the pentacle made available as an emblem of belief for inscription on headstones, grave markers and memorial plaques. The VA will add the symbol to its list of available emblems of belief.
In addition, the VA will make markers bearing the pentacle — an encircled, intertwined five-pointed star — available to the families of Stewart, Birnbaum and others who request them.
AU noted that the VA’s list of 38 approved symbols for government gravestones, markers and plaques includes emblems for Christians, Muslims, Atheists, Hindus, Humanists and members of the Eckankar, Serbian Orthodox and United Moravian faiths.
A Wiccan group first petitioned the VA for approval of the pentacle years ago. Officials at the agency dragged their feet on the request but in the interim approved the symbols of six other religions and belief systems. Among them was a Sikh emblem, which the VA approved in just a few weeks."
Associated Press:
VA allows Wiccan symbols on headstones
"The Wiccan pentacle has been added to the list of emblems allowed in national cemeteries and on goverment-issued headstones of fallen soldiers, according to a settlement announced Monday.
A settlement between the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs and Wiccans adds the five-pointed star to the list of "emblems of belief" allowed on VA grave markers.
Eleven families nationwide are waiting for grave markers with the pentacle, said Selena Fox, a Wiccan high priestess with Circle Sanctuary in Barneveld, Wis., a plaintiff in the lawsuit.
The settlement calls for the pentacle, whose five points represent earth, air, fire, water and spirit, to be placed on grave markers within 14 days for those who have pending requests with the VA. "
Personal Opinion -
This is pretty much exactly what I expected would happen. The VA's taildragging on this subject was way too obvious and blatant, especially with approving other groups markers in weeks and months while Pagans were told the rules were "under review". The VA *knew* it wouldn't stand up in court, however, nobody in the VA wanted to go on record as approving this for fear of offending the so-called "religious right". This way, they can say that the "activist courts" forced them to allow it.
Oh, and it's already up on the VA's website
http://www.cem.va.gov/cem/hm/hmemb.asp
tepintzin!)The VA has settled the suit that Americans United and several other groups brought against them, about allowing the pentacle on US Veterans memorial markers.
Press release here:
Settlement In Americans United Lawsuit Comes After Discovery Of A Pattern Of Bias Against Minority Faith
"Under the terms of the Circle Sanctuary v. Nicholson settlement, the federal government will recognize the right of Wiccans to have the pentacle made available as an emblem of belief for inscription on headstones, grave markers and memorial plaques. The VA will add the symbol to its list of available emblems of belief.
In addition, the VA will make markers bearing the pentacle — an encircled, intertwined five-pointed star — available to the families of Stewart, Birnbaum and others who request them.
AU noted that the VA’s list of 38 approved symbols for government gravestones, markers and plaques includes emblems for Christians, Muslims, Atheists, Hindus, Humanists and members of the Eckankar, Serbian Orthodox and United Moravian faiths.
A Wiccan group first petitioned the VA for approval of the pentacle years ago. Officials at the agency dragged their feet on the request but in the interim approved the symbols of six other religions and belief systems. Among them was a Sikh emblem, which the VA approved in just a few weeks."
Associated Press:
VA allows Wiccan symbols on headstones
"The Wiccan pentacle has been added to the list of emblems allowed in national cemeteries and on goverment-issued headstones of fallen soldiers, according to a settlement announced Monday.
A settlement between the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs and Wiccans adds the five-pointed star to the list of "emblems of belief" allowed on VA grave markers.
Eleven families nationwide are waiting for grave markers with the pentacle, said Selena Fox, a Wiccan high priestess with Circle Sanctuary in Barneveld, Wis., a plaintiff in the lawsuit.
The settlement calls for the pentacle, whose five points represent earth, air, fire, water and spirit, to be placed on grave markers within 14 days for those who have pending requests with the VA. "
Personal Opinion -
This is pretty much exactly what I expected would happen. The VA's taildragging on this subject was way too obvious and blatant, especially with approving other groups markers in weeks and months while Pagans were told the rules were "under review". The VA *knew* it wouldn't stand up in court, however, nobody in the VA wanted to go on record as approving this for fear of offending the so-called "religious right". This way, they can say that the "activist courts" forced them to allow it.
Oh, and it's already up on the VA's website
http://www.cem.va.gov/cem/hm/hmemb.asp
(Thanks tepintzin!)
The VA has settled the suit that Americans United and several other groups brought against them, about allowing the pentacle on US Veterans memorial markers.
Press release here:
Settlement In Americans United Lawsuit Comes After Discovery Of A Pattern Of Bias Against Minority Faith
"Under the terms of the Circle Sanctuary v. Nicholson settlement, the federal government will recognize the right of Wiccans to have the pentacle made available as an emblem of belief for inscription on headstones, grave markers and memorial plaques. The VA will add the symbol to its list of available emblems of belief.
In addition, the VA will make markers bearing the pentacle — an encircled, intertwined five-pointed star — available to the families of Stewart, Birnbaum and others who request them.
AU noted that the VA’s list of 38 approved symbols for government gravestones, markers and plaques includes emblems for Christians, Muslims, Atheists, Hindus, Humanists and members of the Eckankar, Serbian Orthodox and United Moravian faiths.
A Wiccan group first petitioned the VA for approval of the pentacle years ago. Officials at the agency dragged their feet on the request but in the interim approved the symbols of six other religions and belief systems. Among them was a Sikh emblem, which the VA approved in just a few weeks."
Associated Press:
VA allows Wiccan symbols on headstones
"The Wiccan pentacle has been added to the list of emblems allowed in national cemeteries and on goverment-issued headstones of fallen soldiers, according to a settlement announced Monday.
A settlement between the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs and Wiccans adds the five-pointed star to the list of "emblems of belief" allowed on VA grave markers.
Eleven families nationwide are waiting for grave markers with the pentacle, said Selena Fox, a Wiccan high priestess with Circle Sanctuary in Barneveld, Wis., a plaintiff in the lawsuit.
The settlement calls for the pentacle, whose five points represent earth, air, fire, water and spirit, to be placed on grave markers within 14 days for those who have pending requests with the VA. "
Personal Opinion -
This is pretty much exactly what I expected would happen. The VA's taildragging on this subject was way too obvious and blatant, especially with approving other groups markers in weeks and months while Pagans were told the rules were "under review". The VA *knew* it wouldn't stand up in court, however, nobody in the VA wanted to go on record as approving this for fear of offending the so-called "religious right". This way, they can say that the "activist courts" forced them to allow it.
Oh, and it's already up on the VA's website
http://www.cem.va.gov/cem/hm/hmemb.asp
tepintzin!)The VA has settled the suit that Americans United and several other groups brought against them, about allowing the pentacle on US Veterans memorial markers.
Press release here:
Settlement In Americans United Lawsuit Comes After Discovery Of A Pattern Of Bias Against Minority Faith
"Under the terms of the Circle Sanctuary v. Nicholson settlement, the federal government will recognize the right of Wiccans to have the pentacle made available as an emblem of belief for inscription on headstones, grave markers and memorial plaques. The VA will add the symbol to its list of available emblems of belief.
In addition, the VA will make markers bearing the pentacle — an encircled, intertwined five-pointed star — available to the families of Stewart, Birnbaum and others who request them.
AU noted that the VA’s list of 38 approved symbols for government gravestones, markers and plaques includes emblems for Christians, Muslims, Atheists, Hindus, Humanists and members of the Eckankar, Serbian Orthodox and United Moravian faiths.
A Wiccan group first petitioned the VA for approval of the pentacle years ago. Officials at the agency dragged their feet on the request but in the interim approved the symbols of six other religions and belief systems. Among them was a Sikh emblem, which the VA approved in just a few weeks."
Associated Press:
VA allows Wiccan symbols on headstones
"The Wiccan pentacle has been added to the list of emblems allowed in national cemeteries and on goverment-issued headstones of fallen soldiers, according to a settlement announced Monday.
A settlement between the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs and Wiccans adds the five-pointed star to the list of "emblems of belief" allowed on VA grave markers.
Eleven families nationwide are waiting for grave markers with the pentacle, said Selena Fox, a Wiccan high priestess with Circle Sanctuary in Barneveld, Wis., a plaintiff in the lawsuit.
The settlement calls for the pentacle, whose five points represent earth, air, fire, water and spirit, to be placed on grave markers within 14 days for those who have pending requests with the VA. "
Personal Opinion -
This is pretty much exactly what I expected would happen. The VA's taildragging on this subject was way too obvious and blatant, especially with approving other groups markers in weeks and months while Pagans were told the rules were "under review". The VA *knew* it wouldn't stand up in court, however, nobody in the VA wanted to go on record as approving this for fear of offending the so-called "religious right". This way, they can say that the "activist courts" forced them to allow it.
Oh, and it's already up on the VA's website
http://www.cem.va.gov/cem/hm/hmemb.asp
How cool!!
Apr. 23rd, 2007 10:44 amIt's not a flying car, but the next best thing.
For $37,195, you can build your own flying motorcycle.
Super Sky Cycle
Basically it's a homebuilt trike with unfolding rotors that turns it into an autogyro.
Also:
http://www.boingboing.net/2007/04/23/flying_motorcycle.html
Video:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4QOWwzIn8OQ
For $37,195, you can build your own flying motorcycle.
Super Sky Cycle
Basically it's a homebuilt trike with unfolding rotors that turns it into an autogyro.
Also:
http://www.boingboing.net/2007/04/23/flying_motorcycle.html
Video:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4QOWwzIn8OQ
How cool!!
Apr. 23rd, 2007 10:44 amIt's not a flying car, but the next best thing.
For $37,195, you can build your own flying motorcycle.
Super Sky Cycle
Basically it's a homebuilt trike with unfolding rotors that turns it into an autogyro.
Also:
http://www.boingboing.net/2007/04/23/flying_motorcycle.html
Video:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4QOWwzIn8OQ
For $37,195, you can build your own flying motorcycle.
Super Sky Cycle
Basically it's a homebuilt trike with unfolding rotors that turns it into an autogyro.
Also:
http://www.boingboing.net/2007/04/23/flying_motorcycle.html
Video:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4QOWwzIn8OQ
Points for telling the truth......
Apr. 23rd, 2007 11:11 amPlane lands at golf club
"Thornhill said about half an hour into the flight he "began to smell something funny" and realized the "oil pressure was gone."
"But the engine was still running, so I called Pease to make an emergency landing," said Thornhill. "But after I talked with them, the engine just quit. ... At that point my pants became brown."
Yeah, I can imagine!!
"Thornhill said about half an hour into the flight he "began to smell something funny" and realized the "oil pressure was gone."
"But the engine was still running, so I called Pease to make an emergency landing," said Thornhill. "But after I talked with them, the engine just quit. ... At that point my pants became brown."
Yeah, I can imagine!!
Points for telling the truth......
Apr. 23rd, 2007 11:11 amPlane lands at golf club
"Thornhill said about half an hour into the flight he "began to smell something funny" and realized the "oil pressure was gone."
"But the engine was still running, so I called Pease to make an emergency landing," said Thornhill. "But after I talked with them, the engine just quit. ... At that point my pants became brown."
Yeah, I can imagine!!
"Thornhill said about half an hour into the flight he "began to smell something funny" and realized the "oil pressure was gone."
"But the engine was still running, so I called Pease to make an emergency landing," said Thornhill. "But after I talked with them, the engine just quit. ... At that point my pants became brown."
Yeah, I can imagine!!
Copperas Cove man to give president his Purple Heart
"History will be made today when Copperas Cove resident Bill Thomas and his wife, Georgia, present President George W. Bush with a Purple Heart at the Oval Office.
Thomas said he and his wife came up with the unprecedented idea to present the president with the Purple Heart over breakfast one morning a few months ago as they discussed the verbal attacks, both foreign and domestic, the commander in chief has withstood during his time in office.
"We feel like emotional wounds and scars are as hard to carry as physical wounds," Thomas said."
FACEPLANT
I respect this man's wishes to do what he wants with his Purple Heart. He paid for it with his own blood. However, I can't think of anything that would be a bigger insult to all of those who also earned their Purple Hearts the hard way. Hello, part of BEING the president is so-called "verbal attacks, both foreign and domestic". Clinton, Bush I, Reagan, Carter, Ford, Nixon, Johnson, Kennedy, etc., ALL faced "verbal attacks, both foreign and domestic". Giving Bush II a Purple Heart for it stupid. The smart thing would have been to send a nice thank you along with a note saying that Bush II didn't want to accept it because he didn't want to cheapen the sacrifice made by those who have been awarded the Purple Heart for real. (Not to mention questionable considering how some of this administration's supporters have mocked the Purple Hearts won in combat by people they disagree with)
"History will be made today when Copperas Cove resident Bill Thomas and his wife, Georgia, present President George W. Bush with a Purple Heart at the Oval Office.
Thomas said he and his wife came up with the unprecedented idea to present the president with the Purple Heart over breakfast one morning a few months ago as they discussed the verbal attacks, both foreign and domestic, the commander in chief has withstood during his time in office.
"We feel like emotional wounds and scars are as hard to carry as physical wounds," Thomas said."
FACEPLANT
I respect this man's wishes to do what he wants with his Purple Heart. He paid for it with his own blood. However, I can't think of anything that would be a bigger insult to all of those who also earned their Purple Hearts the hard way. Hello, part of BEING the president is so-called "verbal attacks, both foreign and domestic". Clinton, Bush I, Reagan, Carter, Ford, Nixon, Johnson, Kennedy, etc., ALL faced "verbal attacks, both foreign and domestic". Giving Bush II a Purple Heart for it stupid. The smart thing would have been to send a nice thank you along with a note saying that Bush II didn't want to accept it because he didn't want to cheapen the sacrifice made by those who have been awarded the Purple Heart for real. (Not to mention questionable considering how some of this administration's supporters have mocked the Purple Hearts won in combat by people they disagree with)
Copperas Cove man to give president his Purple Heart
"History will be made today when Copperas Cove resident Bill Thomas and his wife, Georgia, present President George W. Bush with a Purple Heart at the Oval Office.
Thomas said he and his wife came up with the unprecedented idea to present the president with the Purple Heart over breakfast one morning a few months ago as they discussed the verbal attacks, both foreign and domestic, the commander in chief has withstood during his time in office.
"We feel like emotional wounds and scars are as hard to carry as physical wounds," Thomas said."
FACEPLANT
I respect this man's wishes to do what he wants with his Purple Heart. He paid for it with his own blood. However, I can't think of anything that would be a bigger insult to all of those who also earned their Purple Hearts the hard way. Hello, part of BEING the president is so-called "verbal attacks, both foreign and domestic". Clinton, Bush I, Reagan, Carter, Ford, Nixon, Johnson, Kennedy, etc., ALL faced "verbal attacks, both foreign and domestic". Giving Bush II a Purple Heart for it stupid. The smart thing would have been to send a nice thank you along with a note saying that Bush II didn't want to accept it because he didn't want to cheapen the sacrifice made by those who have been awarded the Purple Heart for real. (Not to mention questionable considering how some of this administration's supporters have mocked the Purple Hearts won in combat by people they disagree with)
"History will be made today when Copperas Cove resident Bill Thomas and his wife, Georgia, present President George W. Bush with a Purple Heart at the Oval Office.
Thomas said he and his wife came up with the unprecedented idea to present the president with the Purple Heart over breakfast one morning a few months ago as they discussed the verbal attacks, both foreign and domestic, the commander in chief has withstood during his time in office.
"We feel like emotional wounds and scars are as hard to carry as physical wounds," Thomas said."
FACEPLANT
I respect this man's wishes to do what he wants with his Purple Heart. He paid for it with his own blood. However, I can't think of anything that would be a bigger insult to all of those who also earned their Purple Hearts the hard way. Hello, part of BEING the president is so-called "verbal attacks, both foreign and domestic". Clinton, Bush I, Reagan, Carter, Ford, Nixon, Johnson, Kennedy, etc., ALL faced "verbal attacks, both foreign and domestic". Giving Bush II a Purple Heart for it stupid. The smart thing would have been to send a nice thank you along with a note saying that Bush II didn't want to accept it because he didn't want to cheapen the sacrifice made by those who have been awarded the Purple Heart for real. (Not to mention questionable considering how some of this administration's supporters have mocked the Purple Hearts won in combat by people they disagree with)
People Really ARE this stupid???
Apr. 23rd, 2007 02:52 pmLetter to the Editior, Arkansas Democrat-Gazette, 16 April 2007
Daylight exacerbates warning
(also http://www.nctexasbirds.com/images/hot_news.jpg )
"You may have noticed that March of this year was particularly hot. As a matter of fact, I understand that it was the hottest March since the beginning of the last century. All of the trees were fully leafed out and legions of bugs and snakes were crawling around during a time in Arkansas when, on a normal year, we might see a snowflake or two.
This should come as no surprise to any reasonable person. As you know, Daylight Saving Time started almost a month early this year. You would think that members of Congress would have considered the warming effect that an extra hour of daylight would have on our climate. Or did they ?
Perhaps this is another plot by a liberal Congress to make us believe that global warming is a real threat. Perhaps next time there should be serious studies performed before Congress passes laws with such far-reaching effects.
CONNIE M. MESKIMEN / Hot Springs"
I'm hoping this is only a joke.............
Daylight exacerbates warning
(also http://www.nctexasbirds.com/images/hot_news.jpg )
"You may have noticed that March of this year was particularly hot. As a matter of fact, I understand that it was the hottest March since the beginning of the last century. All of the trees were fully leafed out and legions of bugs and snakes were crawling around during a time in Arkansas when, on a normal year, we might see a snowflake or two.
This should come as no surprise to any reasonable person. As you know, Daylight Saving Time started almost a month early this year. You would think that members of Congress would have considered the warming effect that an extra hour of daylight would have on our climate. Or did they ?
Perhaps this is another plot by a liberal Congress to make us believe that global warming is a real threat. Perhaps next time there should be serious studies performed before Congress passes laws with such far-reaching effects.
CONNIE M. MESKIMEN / Hot Springs"
I'm hoping this is only a joke.............
People Really ARE this stupid???
Apr. 23rd, 2007 02:52 pmLetter to the Editior, Arkansas Democrat-Gazette, 16 April 2007
Daylight exacerbates warning
(also http://www.nctexasbirds.com/images/hot_news.jpg )
"You may have noticed that March of this year was particularly hot. As a matter of fact, I understand that it was the hottest March since the beginning of the last century. All of the trees were fully leafed out and legions of bugs and snakes were crawling around during a time in Arkansas when, on a normal year, we might see a snowflake or two.
This should come as no surprise to any reasonable person. As you know, Daylight Saving Time started almost a month early this year. You would think that members of Congress would have considered the warming effect that an extra hour of daylight would have on our climate. Or did they ?
Perhaps this is another plot by a liberal Congress to make us believe that global warming is a real threat. Perhaps next time there should be serious studies performed before Congress passes laws with such far-reaching effects.
CONNIE M. MESKIMEN / Hot Springs"
I'm hoping this is only a joke.............
Daylight exacerbates warning
(also http://www.nctexasbirds.com/images/hot_news.jpg )
"You may have noticed that March of this year was particularly hot. As a matter of fact, I understand that it was the hottest March since the beginning of the last century. All of the trees were fully leafed out and legions of bugs and snakes were crawling around during a time in Arkansas when, on a normal year, we might see a snowflake or two.
This should come as no surprise to any reasonable person. As you know, Daylight Saving Time started almost a month early this year. You would think that members of Congress would have considered the warming effect that an extra hour of daylight would have on our climate. Or did they ?
Perhaps this is another plot by a liberal Congress to make us believe that global warming is a real threat. Perhaps next time there should be serious studies performed before Congress passes laws with such far-reaching effects.
CONNIE M. MESKIMEN / Hot Springs"
I'm hoping this is only a joke.............
Astroglide tries to plug 260,000 customer data leak
"Astroglide, which was notified last week of a data breach compromising more than 260,000 records of people who ordered free samples of its products, has taken down its page for ordering the free samples and removed the last of the records from its Web site.
On Saturday we informed you — and apparently scooped everyone — that Astroglide had inadvertently published names, email and shipping addresses for tens of thousands of customers who had ordered free samples from 2003 through the present. While the company had removed most of the records from its Web site and made changes to its robots.txt file, it had left a spreadsheet containing 4,529 records online and available for download as of publication time Saturday. That last file has been removed as of Monday."
"Astroglide, which was notified last week of a data breach compromising more than 260,000 records of people who ordered free samples of its products, has taken down its page for ordering the free samples and removed the last of the records from its Web site.
On Saturday we informed you — and apparently scooped everyone — that Astroglide had inadvertently published names, email and shipping addresses for tens of thousands of customers who had ordered free samples from 2003 through the present. While the company had removed most of the records from its Web site and made changes to its robots.txt file, it had left a spreadsheet containing 4,529 records online and available for download as of publication time Saturday. That last file has been removed as of Monday."
Astroglide tries to plug 260,000 customer data leak
"Astroglide, which was notified last week of a data breach compromising more than 260,000 records of people who ordered free samples of its products, has taken down its page for ordering the free samples and removed the last of the records from its Web site.
On Saturday we informed you — and apparently scooped everyone — that Astroglide had inadvertently published names, email and shipping addresses for tens of thousands of customers who had ordered free samples from 2003 through the present. While the company had removed most of the records from its Web site and made changes to its robots.txt file, it had left a spreadsheet containing 4,529 records online and available for download as of publication time Saturday. That last file has been removed as of Monday."
"Astroglide, which was notified last week of a data breach compromising more than 260,000 records of people who ordered free samples of its products, has taken down its page for ordering the free samples and removed the last of the records from its Web site.
On Saturday we informed you — and apparently scooped everyone — that Astroglide had inadvertently published names, email and shipping addresses for tens of thousands of customers who had ordered free samples from 2003 through the present. While the company had removed most of the records from its Web site and made changes to its robots.txt file, it had left a spreadsheet containing 4,529 records online and available for download as of publication time Saturday. That last file has been removed as of Monday."