Letters from our Readers - September 2005

This Country was founded upon God
I was briefly looking over some of the letters and it broke my heart to see what some people really think.
REMINDER TO ALL, our loved ones are fighting for what we call freedom. This country lost innocent people due to those who hate us for no reason. We should be thankful for all those who have fought for this land we call home of the free, AMERICA. Because we are so open to diversity others come here and are now trying to change what this county was founded upon. God. He is what made this country so great. 
He has helped us become what we are today. Now to all the immigrants that have come to live in America, and even not immigrates, who think that we should do away with him, well, you’re wrong. You came to our country. We are what we are. We should not have to change for you. Welcome to America. Here we speak English, if you do not know it learn it, I should not have to get a translator or be rejected from a job because I do not speak a different language. We celebrate the life of GOD and worship him. If you do not believe in him that is fine, America is free to your beliefs, but you can not change or system. If you do not like it then why are you here?
I just don't understand why we let others destroy all that our founding fathers died to accomplish so that we could have what we have now. Please understand, you might not believe in our God, but he belongs in America. If we do away with him, he will leave and this country will suffer like others. The pledge of allegiance must remain the same. This is ONE NATION UNDER GOD!!
Advertising Higher & 
Signs Of The Woodlands

Face the face of homelessness 
The tragedy of Hurricane Katherine in New Orleans and throughout the south of this country is now we have thousands of people who find themselves homeless due to this devastating storm.
It is a shame that it would take something like a class five hurricane to awaken our hearts to the citizens of this country who find themselves on the street for one reason or another, but perhaps it is just what this country and the community needed. 
Over the summer I have met and been involved with one particular man who is homeless and it has broken my heart just to experience one tiny part of what he has been through, since he became homeless nearly two years ago. There are establishments who unfortunately don't want him around because it doesn't look good for their business and " Costumers" have complained , claiming he has bothered them. He has been banned from places because businesses don't want him " loitering". His cart full of what meager belongings he has doesn't look good for their businesses. And recently someone attacked him , hitting him on the head and he found his self lying on the side of the road with a bump on his head and some of his things stolen by who ever it was who attacked him. He tried to call for help at a gas station but the attendant turned him away saying the phone was only for n"Business". When he was finally able to call 911 at a convenient store the operator only told him to get off the " private property" . When the police arrived they told him the same thing and wouldn't even give him a ride to the hospital. He tried to call me after he made it to and left the emergency room. He looked for another phone to call me with. Somebody panicked when they saw him and called the police on him . Apparently, the person thought he was a child molester, probably just disturbed by his appearance. He lost consciousness and woke up in the psychiatric ward of the hospital covered with pepper spray even on his reproductive organs.
Also, I briefly spoke with a woman who is also homeless here in Bend and she told me one woman said she was not "Christian" because she is homeless. I am ashamed of the lack of regard and inhumane way homeless people have been treated by some people in Bend. Being homeless does not mean you give up your humanity and it doesn't give anyone the right to abuse , neglect and not protect someone. Whether we have a roof over our heads or not we all have "human" rights and they shouldn't be over looked or neglected and ignored because of our homeless status. Address or no address they are human beings and not some garbage barge people can push around simply because they don't want to be reminded of them and deal with them. Those citizens of Bend who have houses, apartments , addresses etc.., shouldn't be as smug as to believe they are better than those who don't have addresses. They are merely more fortunate. And what the recent tragedy in the south should bring to light is the fact that anything at all can make any one of us fall. It can take far less than a strong hurricane. This hurricane is this country's and this community's wake up call. Those of us who are cold, cruel and indifferent to the plight of people who are homeless have received a big reminder that one day they might be put in th4 place of the homeless people and then they will know what it feels like. People who are homeless are not " bums". They aren't criminals, lazy, leashes of society or child molesters. They are human beings just like you , who are trying to make it through a painfully heart breaking circumstance. We would all like to be spared from the harsh reality of homelessness but, to treat someone coldly, cruelly and inhumanely simply because you don't want to be reminded of it is nothing but immoral and just plain wrong. I just hope the population of Louisiana and the southern part of our country treat the people who are homeless there in a kinder and more humane way then the people here have. I say boo! Boo to the stores for banning my friend . Boo to the various establishments who have been cold and cruel to him. Boo especially to the police officers who didn't give an injured man a ride to the hospital and sprayed him all over with pepper spray, throwing him in a psychiatric ward. I say boo to all these places and people who mistreated and abused him. I wish them all my friends fate. They give the rest of the human race a bad name and are much more a disgrace then anyone who is homeless ever can be. How dare they treat another human being like that?!! Who do they think they are?! They should all be treated like leopards or pariahs. They should all be pushed around like a garbage barge.
Tascha Dresser 
Bend, Oregon

Where Is the National Guard? 
Have you read some of the harrowing stories coming out of New Orleans? Have you heard about the folks who had to climb up into their attics to escape the floodwaters of Katrina? They are trapped. They're in their attics as I write these words 3 days later. 
Where in the World Is the National Guard? 
Why aren't there 20,000 troops arriving to go from rooftop to rooftop letting these people out of their deathtraps? Where are the military boats? Where is the battlefield communications? Where are the Mash tents? Where are the reserve's doctors and nurses? 
I can hear the apologists now. You got to give'em time. Time? How much time? They should have been mobilized on Monday. They should have arrived on Tuesday morning. They should have started saving people yesterday evening. 
Now is not the time to be a day late and a dollar short! 
I'll ask again. Where are they? 
Angie Pratt
http://www.politicalposts.com 

It's time to make a real change
I am told that the Pizza Shack in Montgomery has now banished The Bulletin from its premises because it dared to criticize President Bush and his policies. How tragic that another business in Montgomery County has caved in to the economic terrorism practiced, and in fact perfected, by a Republican party that is apparently so frightened and insecure that it cannot withstand the basic scrutiny that distinguishes our form of government from the fascist and socialist regimes which we have, at great cost, long fought to defeat. 
The First Amendment to the Constitution of the United States guarantees the right of free speech and a free press. It is not only our right to criticize our leaders when we think they are wrong, it is our responsibility. It's the price of citizenship. Free Americans advocate their views, they do not seek to impose them at economic gunpoint. There are certainly people in this county whose political views do not mirror my own. But I recognize that reasonable people may differ on any number of issues, and I do not engage in boycotts designed to destroy them for those different views. And I do not require that my views on all subjects be enacted into law. 
This is just one more reason why the Republicans who run every branch of government, at the state and federal level, must go. It's time for change. The Democratic party is not about hatemongering and the politics of personal destruction. And it's not about annihilating everyone whose views on every single issue do not mirror our own. We are about inclusion, not exclusion. We also don't want to see social security destroyed, are disheartened by the unprecedented out-of-control spending in Washington and Austin, and are sick to death of standing in line to pay $2.80 for a gallon of gas. 
We're about recognizing that our leaders are not doing their jobs and are now just bullying those who presume to question their wrong-headed policies and tactics. 
It's time to make a real change. 
Nancy M. McCoy
Willis, TX 

Like no other War
The war against Iraq was like no other war ever waged by America. Not like the First World War, that many believed was The War to End All Wars. Then soldiers marched off to save democracy and to join our allies already fighting in Europe. Marched off to the cheers of thousands, singing “Over There” and “Keep the Home Fires Burning”.
This war was not like the Second World War when America’s fleet was attacked without warning at Pearl Harbor, when America became the Arsenal of Democracy and people were united in their patriotism, fighting a Nazi threat such as the world had never before seen.
This war was the first time America was the aggressor. This was the first time America attacked a nation that had never made war on us, attacked a nation that had no part in the September 11th tragedy, attacked a nation that did not have weapons of mass destruction. America declared war and attacked Iraq based on a lie.
Although the Iraqi war is over the fighting continues. Some soldiers will never come home. Many are coming back badly wounded by bullets and shells and some are returning contaminated with depleted uranium residue, a waste product of nuclear power plants, spewed out from bursting shells and bombs that U.S. forces first used in the 1991 Gulf War. Poison Dust. 
In this war ammunition containing depleted uranium residue, DU, became America’s weapon of choice against Iraq, with more than 3,000 tons used against Iraqis and 1,000 tons used in Afghanistan.
Does it seem right that America is poisoning the people and places we were supposed to be liberating?
But the destruction doesn’t stop there. Radiation damage is capable of maiming children born to parents contaminated by DU residue. Iraqis, Afghanis, Americans. Their yet unborn children can be deformed with radioactive particles, causing malformation of limbs or fingers.
People that are protesting the war are not against all wars. They are against this war.
When will we learn the whole truth about the dangers our kids are facing in Iraq?
Margaret Moorehead
The Woodlands, TX 

Leave my child alone
All school districts are required under Section 9528 of the No Child Left Behind Act to release student records to military recruiters or risk losing funding, but they are also required to inform families of their Opt Out rights. You need to know that you may request that your school does not share your child’s information with military recruiters and not risk missing out on contact by college recruiters. Should your student wish to enlist, he or she may contact a recruiter.
I have learned that CISD will send an opt-out form home with students when school begins. Look for it in the handbook that comes home with your child, and return it immediately. You may also submit an “opt out” letter to Superintendent Don Stockton, 3205 W. Davis, Conroe, TX 77304, fax (936) 760-7701. In addition, you may opt-out of the Pentagon’s database and learn more about military recruiters and opting-out by going to www.leavemychildalone.com . On the site you will also see some of the ways recruiters are reaching our young people, such as through video games and taking them out for pizza, etc, often with parents unaware. 
I trust this is valuable information for parents who want to know all the options their children have before them. 
Tomi G. Phillips
The Woodlands, TX 

Other parts of the world , are they better?
As a past candidate for congress here in District 8. I have a direct contact to other parts of the world. Other parts of the world , are they better than America?
My grandson knows this is a fact , we are becoming unconserned with the real fact that our basic rights are being denied here in America.
The following quote is from my grandson: None are so hopelessly enslaved as those who falsely believe they are free.
James Wright
New Caney, Texas 

Bush supporters are evil
R. Tullos "Dan" Hanchey suggests in his letter to the editor that the media should not report on the Iraqi war casualties because "More Americans are killed in traffic accidents on our peaceful USA highways in one month than all of the U-S soldiers who have died over the years in the whole Iraq war...since its beginning! " He also labels the protestors in Crawford and around the world as "leftist and socialist anti-war activists and Bush-haters" And he calls for the media to stop using it's bias in it's reporting. Is this man ignorant, stupid or just plain evil? Here is my formula for determining such. If you voted for Bush in 2000 you were either ignorant, stupid or just plain evil. If you voted for Bush in 2004 you were either stupid or just plain evil and if you still support Bush and his regime to this day then you are just plain evil.
Ignorance can be claimed as a reason you voted for Bush in 2000 if you did so because you "believed" he was a good governor and "successful" businessman because the media "told" you so. You did no other research into this candidate other than the minimum amount necessary. In other words, you were lazy.
Laziness and ignorance go hand in hand. But after just a few months even the lazy person would have caught enough second-hand information to realize that "W" stood for "Wrong".
By 2004 any intelligent person would have been able to deduce that Bush and his regime were neither compassionate nor conservative towards anyone on this planet other than their fanatic base. Which means that the only people who support him today are the evil ones. So by definition "Dan" you are beyond ignorant and stupid and are just plain evil. 
I hope I cleared that up for you and future Bush supporters out there who will continue to send in ill thought out letters to the editors containing nothing but regurgitated propaganda poorly disguised as an opinion. 
Rick Amburgey

Trauma Patient Care
It's a scenario that has been discussed by more than one group of emergency medical personnel.
A terrorist group manages to get an explosive device up the Houston Ship Channel to downtown Houston. Or, a tank truck is detonated in the center of the city. Many are killed instantly; unfortunately, the survivors clinging to life have little chance of survival. Since Houston's only two trauma centers are next to each other inside the city loop, in the area mostly likely effected by the explosion, there is nowhere to take the casualties.
Houston trauma centers are already overtaxed by trauma. Often both facilities go on drive-by and inform EMS personnel they have no room for trauma patients. A recent study found that when this happens the trauma mortality rate increases by 50 percent in the city. Houston is not currently managing the number of routine trauma injuries, much less the injuries that could occur from a terrorist attack.
Additional trauma centers are needed, and they should be built outside the 610 loop. State funds are available for new trauma centers with the new surcharge on DWI's. The state must become more aggressive in collecting these fees. And, trauma center developers must also look to newer models for planning and staffing trauma centers.
Hospital planners continually point to the shortage of nurses as a stumbling block for opening new trauma centers. They overlook the fact that licensed paramedics have the same amount of college hours and more emergency training than nurses. Finding poor pay, limited opportunity for advancement, and aging bodies not suited for carrying heavy patients down ladders and stairs, 20% of all EMS leave the profession each year. Trauma center positions would stem the flow of paramedics out of EMS and would be a great solution for nurse staffing shortages.
Houston and other cities must open their eyes and take a proactive approach to trauma patient care. Don't wait for terrorists to call attention to the fact that most cities are in a trauma crisis.
Jim Becka
Splendora, TX 

Democrats have a chance in '08
After 6 years of humiliation at the polls the Democrats finally have a chance in 2006 and 2008 to 'getter dun". Once again George W. Bush is trying to hand another presidential election to the Democrats.
With the situation in Iraq, the CIA leak story, gas prices, and Hillary there is no way democrats should lose in '08.
Alonzo Westmoreland
Willis, Texas

Don’t Complain
As much as I hate to admit it, Donald Kaul is absolutely right. If the Democrats do not get their act together and start winning elections from the school boards up, John Roberts could become the most liberal judge on the Supreme Court. We have even lost a lot of blue collar people, our base, as well as a lot of minority people. 
Sam Adair 
Montgomery, Texas 

Focus on the dead too 
We keep hearing that all efforts in New Orleans and other places devastated by Katrina need to focus on the living. And, while that is obviously critical, there is no reason why we can't also use other national resources to begin focusing on the dead as well. 
Perhaps it's already begun, but I haven't heard a word about the CDC, the FBI or places like Dover AFB doing what they can to gather the bodies, identify them, and prepare them for burial or cremation. We must do so quickly or disease will become rampant and we must do so for the hundreds, if not thousands, of families who are looking hopelessly for loved ones. 
Dover AFB offers a mortuary unequalled on U.S. soil. The state-of-the art facility offers DNA testing and dental labs for definitive identification. FBI agents take fingerprints and pathologists work at specially ventilated stations for autopsies, embalming and placement in coffins. 
We need coordinated efforts -- with all government resources working together --to help the living, bury the dead, control the spread of disease, and then rebuild. 
We must help the living and we must identify and bury the dead. We can do both. 
We need real leadership at a time of great peril. 
Barbara Peyton 
Montgomery, Texas

Rhymes of the Times 
Three reasons that the Louisiana National Guard was not sent out in time: 
1. no one was in command. 
2. no one thought ahead. 
3. it's a long way to dispatch from Iraq. 
The Louisiana National Guard did lack- 
As 3000 troops are presently in Iraq! And 3500 from Mississippi, and 2000 from Alabama.
Mary Elizabeth Rumsey 
Porter, TX

Where is the National Guard?
In her letter to the editor (Sept. 2- Sept.8 issue), Angie Pratt asks where the National Guard has been in the hurricane tragedy on the gulf coast. The answer is simple, and also tragic: most of them and their desperately needed equipment are thousands of miles away in a foreign country where we have no business being and where we are not wanted. While our own people are dying in the wake of a catastrophic natural disaster in this country, the young men and women who should be here helping them are being killed and maimed in a phony and illegal war in Iraq. It was reported on Wednesday that the Mississippi National Guard was able to send only 850 soldiers to the hurricane ravaged gulf coast to help their own people; 3500 Mississippi Guardsmen, as well as those Mash tents and high water vehicles are deployed in Iraq.
Maybe that smirking cowboy wanna-be who just got out of Dodge (Crawford, Texas actually) can answer your question.
Dick Gricar
Spring, Texas

Food bank needs volunteers 
Yesterday I took food and volunteered for the Mont. Co. Food bank. At that time they had a lot of empty slots for volunteers for today and the coming days. 
I helped sort food into 50 pound boxes to be dispersed. It is hot work so dress in loose clothes & plan to get hot & sweaty if you are able to volunteer. People are also needed in the office area where it is cooler. 
For those who are able, even if you can only give one or two hours, it spreads the labor over a larger number of people & helps everyone. And the more that can help, the faster the job gets done, or simply keeps up with the food coming in that needs to be boxed. 
A large 18 wheeler full of food from local grocery stories arrived as we were working, as well as the food individuals were bringing in. 
If you have food to give, you might consider sorting it on your own and taking it to the Food Bank that way - 2 large cans of fruit juice, 3 jars of jam, lots of canned vegetables, chips, snacks, canned tuna, soup, peanut butter, dry beans, chicken broth, into boxes of 50 pounds. 
Since the parking area is small, car pool if you can. You can call the Food Bank at 936-539-6686 or simply show up to help (as I did). Their address is: 1300 S. Frazier, Suite 310, Conroe, Texas 
From South County, go north on I-45, exit Gladstell Road exit. Look for the street "Enterprise". Turn right on Enterprise. Enterprise heads east towards Frazier. Suite 310 will be on your right a short distance before you hit Frazier. 
I know everyone is out and about, all over Montgomery County and surrounding counties doing what they can and we are proud of you! 
For hurricane victims, There are Katrina links to information the Mont. Co. librarians got together on the library home page 
www.countylibrary.org  
We are trying every way possible to get information out to hurricane victims and get aid information to them asap. Those who can, check out our site, & you see something missing, call reference at one of the Mont. Co. libraries & give them the needed site. This is a team effort! 
Forward this information to others.
Janis Allen

The Answer?
The Republican-controlled congress is returning to Washington this week. They face the destruction of our middle class, the largest loss of jobs in our history due to outsourcing. Their answer to this devastation?
Cut taxes for the rich.
The Republican-controlled congress return to face the voters in 2006.
I say off with their heads. We need representatives who care for the working people of this country, the 98 percent of the people that make this country run, not just the top two percent, the idle and soft-handed, the ones that provide the campaign bribes.
As Bush said of the Iraqis, "bring'em on." You politicians that have done this to our great country, come out from under your rocks, we want you.
Jim Kane'ala
Seattle, Washington 

Chicken Little
Chicken Little-"the sky is falling" and when it was all over, even though it seemed so, the sky didn't fall. Hurricane Katrina has brought out the best in our Military and ordinary citizens but it has brought out the worst in the Liberal media and the Democrats, or to say it better-leadership vs. losership. Unfortunately for the hurricane victims they are being manipulated and victimized (again) by the Democrats and those in the Media who have chosen "losership" in the midst of all this suffering and death.
The Democrats perceive it will give them political gain in the coming elections and leverage in imposing on the world their agenda of a "culture of death". Their goal is, if not able to defeat the Pro-Life culture proponents, at least attempt to "defang" any of President Bush's appointee's to the Supreme Court who may "oppose" their murderous goal. There truly is an "all" good God in heaven so this will backfire on them.
It seems that if the Al Qaeda terrorists will just sit back, the Democratic Party and the "formerly" Main Stream Media will accomplish most of their goals for them (but we won't let them). Because winning any kind of a battle whether it's against an army, a fire, a disease or any disaster depends very much on the psychological state of the people being affected. And their state of mind depends very much on whether it's going to be "leader-ship or loser-ship from their leaders--that goes double for the Media that conveys this positive or negative message to them. If President Bush takes a tour by air, he should be on the ground. If he is on the ground hugging a black child he "doesn't really mean it". It reminds me of the passage where Jesus said. "I played a wedding song and you didn't dance. I played a funeral dirge and you didn't mourn." We know the rest of this passage.
President Bush, you are never going to please these negative, race baiting "profane" people and the sycophants that follow them. So don't waste precious time debating with fools. But there is a majority in our country who does appreciate your "strong" moral leadership. These majorities are the unsung heroes who are from the churches, civic org. and individuals of "all" race's coming together and providing solutions instead of a steady stream of profane invective, race baiting and panic. We want our leaders to be strong, positive, in control and compassionate. Not out of control, crying, cursing, and race baiting-so to the latter-- shut up, stop crying, cursing, race baiting and lead-be part of the solution, not part of the problem, you can fall apart later-privately..
Paul Lebedzinski
Huntsville, TX

Charity
I volunteered at the Red Cross in Conroe today and we had a deluge of people coming in who needed help. Most of the people we saw were people who evacuated early and were staying in hotels or with other people. It is clear their resources are diminishing. One thing they desperately needed was gasoline. As everyone knows when dealing with the government there is a lot of red tape and a lot of places to go. We could provide them places to get food and clothing and medical care and tell them where to sign up for government services but they needed gas to get to all of these places. Unlike Houston, we have no public transportation. So please, if you would like to donate or your church would like to donate please donate gasoline cards to places such as the Salvation Army or United Way. They are DESPERATELY NEEDED! Any organizations willing to donate, these would be greatly appreciated. Some of the people I encountered today were teachers who have money in their banking accounts but cannot access the money because of the computer situation in New Orleans. They need the help. I would appreciate it if you would forward this to your friends in Montgomery County who might want to donate or who might have connections with a church or organization that might want to donate. Thanks for your consideration. 
Nicol Huff
The Woodlands, TX

Single Mothers and Children
Up to 100 single mothers with dependant children in their immediate care will be evacuated from local Baton Rouge LA churches over the next three weeks. These mothers and their children will be bussed to the Jackson Michigan area and supplied with the resources they need to reestablish their lives and the lives of their children.
Baton Rouge churches are being swamped with single mothers and their children who do not feel physically safe going to the large refugee centers being established by various national groups. Through a consortium of local churches and organizations, B A Lifesavers, a mid-Michigan non-profit 501(c)(3) organization is spearheading this evacuation.
Please visit www.balifesaver.org  for full details.
Online Reader

Brilliant idiots caused Disaster
Who was the brilliant idiot who thought of using the Superdome and Astrodome to house hurricane survivors? Would you want to be crammed into a sports dome with tens of thousands of strangers for days, even weeks at a time? I've been to the Superdome and Astrodome and that ain't no place I'd like to be warehoused with tens of thousands of homeless people!
The Bush administration and FEMA have failed miserably in the aftermath of hurricane Katrina to provide adequately for the thousands upon thousands of people left homeless. But I suppose that does not matter as almost everyone was black or below the poverty level. Why should those who are employed, living in lovely two story brick mansions and castles on Wisteria Lane care what happens to thousands of poor black people in New Orleans or scattered throughout devastated areas of southern Mississippi?
Certainly a better plan could be made to provide relief and housing for the victims of natural disasters in the future. Has anyone ever thought of turning closed military installations into national emergency centers, converting them to standby evacuation centers to be used in disasters like that wrought by hurricane Katrina?
As a child I lived in New Orleans and was quite familiar with the levees and canals which crisscrossed and laced the neighborhood. In later years I visited Holland and was amazed at how much land they had taken from the sea by building massive dykes. I guarantee you Katrina's flood waters would have been no match for a Dutch dyke!
As Americans we need to get our priorities straight and begin providing workable solutions that never again will a natural disaster leave us looking like fools in the eyes of the rest of the world. Not only does this mean building a backup system for levees in New Orleans with submergible barges which can be moved rapidly into place to breach any breaks in levees, it means providing public service programs to employ people that no American ever be without a job or security for their families. When you get right down to it, the reason for this disaster was not hurricane Katrina, it was poverty and so many thousands upon thousands of people not having the means to evacuate New Orleans -- that and the brilliant idiots in Washington who thought nothing of cramming tens of thousands of poor black people into the Superdome!
The most brilliant idiot of all has to be President Bush, who is ultimately responsible for everything that happens in his administration, and who had not the courage or conviction to visit with and console the stranded victims inside the Superdome, focusing his visit to New Orleans upon a fly over to look at the broken levee and a photo op at the airport. What were you afraid of President Bush, seeing and smelling those who died because of the folly of your administration?
Terry Lynch
Montgomery, AL 

Jesus was a Liberal 
Jesus was a bleeding heart liberal. He fit the classic example of what conservatives call 
a bleeding heart liberal. 
His heart bled for the poor, sick, maimed and blind. He went about healing and teaching a way to salvation that could deliver them. He devoted his life to helping people. 
When the rich young ruler asked what more he could do Jesus answered, "sell all you own and give it to the poor." 
He said on judgment day he would judge according to how one treated the poor, "as you did unto the least of these, you did it unto me." Jesus did not associate with the conservative religious leaders but with the sincere seekers of truth. The conservative leaders did not want to listen as they stubbornly held to their beliefs and would not change even if the messiah appeared which he did. 
They followed him to find fault and to try to entrap him so they could discredit him as he was a threat to them. For example, they brought a prostitute to him and asked what they should do with her. Moses law was clear -- she should be stoned to death. They felt they had Jesus trapped as they knew he was a bleeding heart liberal and would have compassion on her. 
He answered them, " Let he that is without sin cast the first stone." They all left and the woman's life was spared. 
It was not the Jewish people who had Jesus crucified, it was their conservative religious leaders. They had him arrested and stirred up a mob with lies about him. Pontius Pilate could find no fault in him but was afraid to release him because of the mob so he washed his hands of Jesus and did as the mob wished. 
Many of the followers of Jesus followed him as they believed he would become king and drive out the hated Roman legions but Jesus said, "my kingdom is not of this earth." He did not become involved in politics for that reason. He said, " Give unto Caesar that which is Caesar's and unto God that which is God's." 
He also said, " Love your enemies and do good to those who despitefully use you" 
"If a man slaps you on one cheek, turn to him the other." Yes, Jesus was a pacifist. I see nothing in his teachings that would justify any war or an assassination. 
Just as the conservative religious leaders of 2000 years ago rejected the teachings of Jesus Christ so are the conservative religious leaders of today rejecting his teachings. 
They are building kingdoms on earth with their mega churches and other businesses and would reject Jesus if he did come again. They have no time for pacifists and bleeding heart liberals. 
Bill Talley 
Houston, Tx

AND--here are ways that FEMA even hindered others from helping. . . 
BUSH'S FEMA TURNS NATURAL DISASTER INTO BUREAUCRATIC DISASTER
FEMA Urged First Responders Not To Respond To Hurricane Areas. While the situation in New Orleans became increasingly worse, FEMA issued a press release urging all fire and emergency services departments not to respond to counties and states affected by Hurricane Katrina without being requested and lawfully dispatched by state and local authorities. [FEMA Press Release, 8/29/05, http://www.fema.gov/news/newsrelease.fema?id=18470]
FEMA Refuses to Ship Trailers to Mississippi To Help With Relief Efforts. "Senator Trent Lott called on President Bush to authorize the immediate release of 20,000 trailers sitting idle in Atlanta. Lott said FEMA has refused to ship the trailers because of red tape and paperwork." [CNN, 9/6/05]FEMA Would Not Let Red Cross Deliver Food to New Orleans. As the National Guard delivered food to the New Orleans convention center, American Red Cross officials said that FEMA authorities would not allow them to do the same. "The Homeland Security Department has requested and continues to request that the American Red Cross not come back into New Orleans," said Renita Hosler, spokeswoman for the Red Cross. [Pittsburg Post-Gazette, 9/4/05]
FEMA Refused Amtrak's Offer Of Trains To Evacuate Victims. "Sen. Mary Landrieu (D-LA) accused the Federal Emergency Management Agency of 'dragging its feet' when Amtrak offered trains to evacuate victims. 'Offers of medicine, communications equipment and other desperately needed items continue to flow in, only to be ignored by the agency,' she said." [Financial Times, 9/5/05]
BUSH BURIED FEMA "BENEATH A MASSIVE BUREAUCRACY" Bureaucratic Reconfigurations Have Stripped FEMA Of Its Focus. When FEMA was folded into the Department of Homeland Security, it became part of the new department's prime focus on terrorism, not winds or floods. The result has been shakeups and reconfigurations that have left the old agency stripped of many of its funding programs and some of its money, prompting cries of protest from emergency managers across the country. [Editorial, Wall Street Journal, 8/16/04]
Former FEMA Director James Lee Witt: Extra Bureaucracy Hindered FEMA's Success. Former FEMA Director James Lee Witt shared his concerns with the House Government Reform Committee in 2004: "We are greatly concerned that the successful partnership that was built between local/state/federal partners and their ability to communicate, coordinate, train, prepare, and respond has been sharply eroded. Second, FEMA... is being buried beneath a massive bureaucracy whose main and seemingly only focus is fighting terrorism while an all hazards mission is getting lost in the shuffle. I firmly believe that FEMA should be extracted from the DHS bureaucracy and re-establish it as an independent agency reporting directly to the President... Third, the FEMA Director has lost Cabinet status and along with it the close relationship to the President and Cabinet Affairs." [House Government Reform Committee, 3/24/04]
BUSH CUT FEMA'S DISASTER RELIEF FUNDS Disaster Mitigation Programs Slashed Since 2001. Since 2001, key federal disaster mitigation programs, developed over many years, have been slashed and tossed aside. FEMA's Project Impact, a model mitigation program created by the Clinton Administration, has been canceled outright. Federal funding of post-disaster mitigation efforts designed to protect people and property from the next disaster has been cut in half, and now communities across the country must compete for pre-disaster mitigation dollars. [Baltimore City Paper, 9/29/04]
Bush Continuing To Propose Cuts To Army Corps of Engineers. The Army Corps of Engineers will be cut in 2006. Bush's 2005 budget proposal called for a 13 percent reduction in the Army Corps of Engineers budget, down to $4 billion from $4.6 billion in fiscal 2004. [Associated Press, 2/6/05; Congressional Quarterly Online, 2/3/04]
Bea Rouse
Montgomery, TX

Bush Bashing 
THIS ARTICLE SHOULD BE ON THE EDITORIAL PAGE-- AFTER ALL-IT IS BASHING BUSH I am really disappointed in President Bush. 
First and foremost he failed to stop hurricane Katrina before it hit the Gulf Coast. 
Even worse, he should have stopped it before it first hit Southern Florida. Since he failed to take this first action, one would have expected that he should have, as a second thought, moved the entire states of Alabama, Mississippi and Louisiana to central Texas before Katrina came ashore. 
Next he failed to keep the levees in New Orleans from breaking. You would think that our Commander in Chief would have sent Rumsfeld or at least someone in authority to put his or her finger in the dike. Here again, President Bush should have known that the levees wouldn't hold. Remember, he has the best intelligence organization in the world and they are never wrong. 
If that wasn't bad enough, he failed to assemble the national Guard on a minutes notice. Aren't they, after all, the present day "Minutemen?" 
I know that it took God 6 days to do His work but the leader of the free world should have been able to beat His time. Remember, he had experience when he responded to the tsunami victims. Didn't it take several weeks of continuing rescue operations to stabilize that area. 
With that training, he should have had everyone sitting in planes with their engines running at the end of the runways before the hurricane struck. As a matter of fact he should keep them all at that level all the time because you can never tell when there might be an emergency. 
Bush also showed his careless disregard for property damage by concentrating efforts in the flooded areas where people were trapped. By all rights he should have been primarily concerned about getting power back on to the casinos along the Gulf Coast. After all, what is more important, a few peoples lives or preserving the governments income from gambling sources. 
What blows my mind is how President Bush could have reasonably expected people to take any responsibility for themselves. After all, with only a few days notice how could you expect that anyone would take the time to fill up a few jugs of water and stash a few cans of food just because a category 5 hurricane was headed their way? Besides FEMA's suggestion of having 4 days of water and food is just a suggestion. It isn't mandatory. 
Bush also failed by expecting local officials to take on any responsibility. After all, isn't it the present Federal Government's responsibility to provide everyone with everything that our ancestors use to do for themselves? 
Based on all of the above it is clear that President Bush and his administration are the only possible ones to blame. This calls for a full investigation by all of those totally blameless so that they may reap as much political gain from this tragedy as is possible. 
Larry L. Melton 
Conroe, TX

Opt Out 
Just want to say thank you for printing this letter. I am furious at what I am finding out about Montgomery High School allowing recruiters to set up tables every day at lunch time. When I spoke to Mr. Morrison and asked if I could bring some wounded veterans in he said, "no, it is a closed campus." Closed to who? 
Please thank Tomi G. Phillips for the information in their letter. 
Linda Woode

Jesus was a Liberal?
Jesus was whatever you want him to be. To the conservatives he was a conservative. To the liberals he was a liberal. The truth is Jesus was, and is, offensive to all. Truly the religious leaders hated him. And they did dog him, even plotting his death. But let us not forget that the common people loved Jesus as long as the miracles and the food continued.
Once Jesus began to explain the demands of the gospel the crowds left him. It was the adoring masses who cried out "Crucify him!" and then chose to free Barabbas.
If Jesus would come again, as he did before, the conservatives and the liberals would reject him. Neither have time for the Real Kingdom of God.
Mike McNamara
Conroe, Texas

Huricane Katrina 
I had to write this letter today after watching countless hours of television news coverage and reading all the articles on the aftermath of Katrina. I have become more and more disheartened over the lack of support provided by the federal government and the constant arguing over who they can blame, and the mere fact they are more concerned with the best way they can cover there backside and who they can shift the blame on. I can care less who is to blame, all I know is this was not half the way around the world like the tsunami was that devastated the eastern countries last year, where America scrambled within 24 hours to start relief efforts to. These were our neighbors and it took us 4 days to even start a relief effort ? Americans have died because our government did not provide adequate protection, it infuriates me that the lack of support is racially based. The majority of the stranded and forgotten Americans was poor black families, the government treated them as acceptable losses. These were not refuges like the media and the government likes to portray them. They deserve the same respect and protection any American deserves no matter of there color of there skin or there economic status. I know you will argue that our government would never discriminate aid based on race, I ask you to remember last year when hurricane Ivan struck Florida and remember how fast the government responded to that disaster, did it take 4 days before the government picked up a finger to help any of the survivors in Florida ? No they rushed to the aid of Florida, just like they should have in New Orleans. But then again they was mostly mid income white families that was devastated by hurricane Ivan. I send out a heart felt apology to those devastated by hurricane Katrina and the pain and losses you have endured. How you have suffered and have been neglected is appalling and my sincerest apology goes out to you how our government has forsaken you in your hour of need.
Here is a poem that I have wrote, its short but to the point.
They are Americans
Yet the government dropped the ball
And now thousands of names are written on a wall.
They are Americans
They cry out for help, you ignore them as you look into there face
They are treated as war refuges, not as citizens of the human race.
Mary McPherson and Shawn Brockup
Conroe, Texas

Little Leadership
If nothing else comes out of the disasters in Louisiana, hopefully we have learned how little leadership exist in the in the U.S.A. We probable have the best people in the world for writing plans, collecting data, evaluating numbers, and short term building the bottom line. The problem being when the chips are now, we have no one to make it happens. Fellow Americans we can blame ourselves for much of this problem. We voted them into office because they had a great line, they were cute; or they were purchased, by the drug companies, oil companies, and sometime the religious right. 
Since 1976 we have elected one man who truly had the background to be President, and that was George Bush Sr. All the other people had been governors of, Georgia, California, Arkansas, and Texas. Being a Governor does not qualify you to be President. They have never had to deal with war, terrorism, diplomacy, trillion dollar budgets, or foreign governments. Once in office they surround themselves, not with the most qualified people, but with there friends, or friends of friends. I am amazed at how many people are experts in a subject simple because they have a PHD degree, and are 26 years old, or because they wrote a book or article on the subject. 
It is not only Governments where this is happening but in the Corporate world also. Most American CEO's have little own hands experience in the business they run. After WW II, the solders came home and build a great country, my father worked for the same company 30 years, my father-in law the same company for 40 years. They moved up to high positions in big companies. My father had less than a high school education, and my father in law a two-year accounting degree. The two things they had in common were; (1) Take care of your customer. (2) Take care of your Employees. If you do that, you do not have to worry about the bottom line, it will naturally come.
Today most CEO's did not start at the bottom; most were lawyers, accountants, MBA's or engineers, and started as middle management. Many did not even start in the industry they presently manage in. This has led to short-term thinking, and the desire to collect paper work, data, and protect you against lawsuits, instead of doing the right thing. A General in the Army once told me, Commanders (managers) plan and leaders lead. The first principal of leadership is: Never asks someone to do something you would not do yourself. The second principal: Take care of your people. When you go to vote, or pick a stock to purchase, apply these two principals, perhaps we will find some people with leadership skills.
We have no leaders; but we have a lot of managers. I believe the old saying too many Chiefs and not enough Indians. We see that in New Orleans, and we are beginning to see it in the corporate world. What were the qualifications of the head of FIMA? The answer is he had none. This is a failure on the President part, for he appointed him. What about the Mayor, and Governor of Louisiana, what were there qualifications? They probable had none to handle this disaster, but they had a plan. A plan without leadership is just a piece of paper. They failed because they did not carry out the plan.
I noticed Wall Street is beginning to ask the same questions. Why is the CEO of United Airlines, ran by the past CEO of Texaco. (A bankrupt Airline) What does an oil executive know about airline customers and employees? Every Industry in the U.S. is different; as well as, the customers and employee of an Industry. A pilot of a 747 Airplane is not the same as a production worker on an offshore oil platform. What is the qualification of Sears new CEO? He is highly qualified, (Ha!!!! I love this) I believe he use to run a fried chicken chain, and the CFO was a broker on Wall Street. Yesterday the analysis for Sears; (CNBC) basically said “it is formula for failure.” Last year Wall Street would have said,”
great decision, new blood, a winning combination, or buy, buy, buy. These are people who are managing in an industry they have no knowledge of. I know at Harvard students are taught, “if you can manage, you can manage anything.”
I am afraid many times you are putting the square peg in the round hole. (It will not go)
In the next election, check the qualification. We must insist upon qualified people be they Democrats, Republican, or Independents. We need to elect people who represent the people of the U.S. not the interest of select groups. We need to elect more leaders, who cut through paper work and not create it. 
I never thought I would see the day that Americans would leave Americans behind. I was devastated when a Helicopter would not fly because he was shot at. Today I learned from CSPAN, New Orleans Police cars were stopped in Florida. The Florida highway patrol believes them to be stolen. Wrong!! It was policemen evacuating Louisiana. What a sad day for America. Having been a combat officer in Vietnam perhaps I am too hard on these citizens. I have seen 18-22 year old helicopter pilots fly in under tremendous fire to evacuate the wounded. I have seen young ground troops sacrifice their lives to save other. I truly cannot believe what happen in New Orleans. All America should be shamed by these actions, and we should take action, demand more leaders, and a lot less management. Vote on election day and demand qualified CEO's and Directors of Corporation where you own stock, do not let others do it for you, we need to clean up the greed and get the most qualified people into leadership positions in this country. 
Jim Gibson
Montgomery, TX

Buy American
Recently CAFTA (Central America Free Trade Agreement) was heavily debated and passed by a narrow margin (just two votes) in the House of Representatives. It was heavily debated because many Americans and their congressional members felt this is another way for big business to out-source jobs. Really? As people became distraught that their job may go literally “south of the border” and the news media and liberal members of Congress became more critical of President Bush and his administration for seeking this agreement I began to wonder why no one seems to be kicking and screaming about all of the jobs that have already been “out-sourced” to China? 
After all, China is the last major communist country in the world, they have recently stated that in a conflict with the US they would use nuclear missiles (and because of former President Clinton, they have the technology to hit the mainland), and because they ARE a communist nation a majority of revenue ends up in the hands of the government. I mention this last fact because you can’t go to the store to purchase almost anything anymore without finding most goods have a “Made in China” label on them. What happened to the voice of the liberal congressman and the news media as China takes a bigger and bigger share of the market? Could it be that we are afraid of what they might do if we don’t buy their goods or allow American companies to doing increasing business there? Or perhaps, it’s just that Americans want cheap “stuff”. 
One line of reasoning into allowing this communist giant to become an economic power might be that as they (the citizens) get a greater taste of affluency they might see that capitalism isn’t such a bad thing and governmental reforms may follow. Let us NOT forget though that this is a powerful government with military might that has little regard for America’s freedom, let alone their own people (need I say Tienamen Square?). Do we really want to take that chance? 
Are we really worried that a lot of jobs will be “out-sourced” to Central America which has 37 million people when a lot of jobs have already been “out-sourced” to China – and they have 1.3 billion people (probably a lot more to take up the slack in the workforce as new jobs are created!). Think about it the next time you go to the store. Look at the label – see where it is made. Demand your retailers stock more goods made in America or at least in a nation we aren’t likely to go to war with. After all, we’re not like likely to go to war with Belize any time soon!
Jim Murphy
Misawa A.B., Japan

How to lower health care costs
The loss of Peter Jennings to Lung Cancer is sad. Peter was an anti-tobacco advocate and hosted many specials that revealed those in congress that continally block anti-tobacco legislation. Especially Sen. Kay Bailey Hutchison (R-Tx) and Rep. Joe Barton (R-Tx).
It was Barton’s acceptance of millions ($) from the tobacco industry in behalf of the Republican National Committee in the mid-90’s that prompted ABC’s Peter Jennings to accuse Barton of a conspiracy with the tobacco cartel. There is clear evidence of Barton’s dedication to tobacco in his voting record and election contribution sources. Most anti-tobacco legislation has to pass through the Committee on Commerce. As the newly Chairman of the House Committee on Energy and Commerce, Barton’s presence will guarantee that any new anti-tobacco legislation will die in-committee.
Peter Jennings should also be proof positive to each of you that; if you think you can quit smoking later and your health risk for lung cancer will be reduced, think again. Below is a link to a few brochures on Lung Cancer that tell you the truth about lung cancer and smoking. If you smoke, or if you are an ex-smoker, you need to read the brochures. About 50% of new lung cancers are diagnosed in ex-smokers.
http://www.lungcanceralliance.org/press/pressroom.html 
Want your health care costs to go down? Want to see your grandchilden grow? Then quit supporting corporate politicians like Sen. Kay Bailey Hutchison (R-Tex) and Rep. Joe Barton (R-Tex). It is through the support of congressmen such as these, that you have lost your former level of health care. 400,000 Americans per year are addicted and murdered because we have still failed to elect responsible representatives.
Why in the world would you vote for such people?
Leonard Jensen
Fort Worth, Texas

What if it's you next time
As I sat here this morning watching category 4 Hurricane Rita's projected path bearing right down on us on the television screen, I read a letter by Sue Waddle of Willis, who opines that, essentially, the victims of Katrina got what they deserved for living where they lived.
Besides being unimaginably disgusting and amoral, this view struck me, today, as remarkably short-sighted. What would happen if, in a couple of days, Ms. Waddle's Willis home, or for that matter mine, was no longer standing, having been leveled by Rita or related weather phenomena? Or, far worse, if we or our family members were killed, maimed or displaced? 
The answer is, in a couple of weeks, in another American town somewhere, some other mean spirited little person, who like Ms. Waddle has apparently lived a life devoid of basic human decency and compassion, will write a letter to his or her small town newspaper (whose editor might be defiantly and demeaningly referring to the Willis Rita victims as "refugees") and say that America should stop coddling us because we got what we deserved for living in Montgomery County, Texas. 
In deference to karma and a just and powerful God, I am a little more nervous today just for living so close to Sue Waddle. 
Nancy M. McCoy
Willis, TX

Why would you vote for these people?
The loss of Peter Jennings to Lung Cancer is sad. Peter was an anti-tobacco advocate and hosted many specials that revealed those in congress that continally block anti-tobacco legislation. Especially Sen. Kay Bailey Hutchison (R-Tx) and Rep. Joe Barton (R-Tx).
It was Barton’s acceptance of millions ($) from the tobacco industry in behalf of the Republican National Committee in the mid-90’s that prompted ABC’s Peter Jennings to accuse Barton of a conspiracy with the tobacco cartel. There is clear evidence of Barton’s dedication to tobacco in his voting record and election contribution sources. Most anti-tobacco legislation has to pass through the Committee on Commerce. As the newly Chairman of the House Committee on Energy and Commerce, Barton’s presence will guarantee that any new anti-tobacco legislation will die in-committee.
Peter Jennings should also be proof positive to each of you that; if you think you can quit smoking later and your health risk for lung cancer will be reduced, think again. Below is a link to a few brochures on Lung Cancer that tell you the truth about lung cancer and smoking. If you smoke, or if you are an ex-smoker, you need to read the brochures. About 50% of new lung cancers are diagnosed in ex-smokers.
http://www.lungcanceralliance.org/press/pressroom.html 
Want your health care costs to go down? Want to see your grandchilden grow? Then quit supporting corporate politicians like Sen. Kay Bailey Hutchison (R-Tex) and Rep. Joe Barton (R-Tex). It is through the support of congressmen such as these, that you have lost your former level of health care. 400,000 Americans per year are addicted and murdered because we have still failed to elect responsible representatives.
Why in the world would you vote for such people?
Leonard Jensen
Fort Worth, Texas

Dirty but great food.
My boyfriend and I ate at Del Pueblo in Montgomery last Saturday for the first time. I talked him in to going there, because I didn't want to eat at the "other" Mexican restaurant on 105, even though it's closer to home, and I know he likes the food there. I ordered Carne Asada at Del Pueblo and thoroughly enjoyed it. The fajita meat was delicious, cooked and seasoned to perfection. Jimmy usually orders the quesadillas, but he tried the Del Pueblo Special and didn't care for it at all. He also commented several times about how dirty the place was. I couldn't argue with him about that. Our booth was dirty and the table and floors were dirty too! I hope it's not always like this; I want to come back, and maybe Jimmy can try their quesadillas. I noticed they have three different kinds to choose from. The service was fine and hopefully we'll try it again. 
Helen Hardy

Montgomery county's animal control consists almost entirely of backstabbing liars
You see, a few years back, I had a young, healthy puppy that went by the name of Travis 2.
We live down a private road, and our 2 dogs never left the property. Animal control ignored our "No Tresspssing" signs, and came to our house. Travis 2 was the only dog of ours that had a name tag with our telephone number on it. Naturally, he was the only dog they took. 
Our neighbor witnessed the entire thing. We were on our way home from town, and we saw the animal control van leaving our road. Shortly after, we got a call telling us that our dog had been picked up in Conroe, which is a good 30 miles from our house. Not only did we have to pay a large amount of money go get my dog home safely, but Travis 2 caught distemper and parvo, from the back of that disease infested van, and we had to pay 48 dollars to have him put to sleep. 
My family is poor. We spent money, that we should have spent on groceries, to
save our family pet. And our other dog, Stanley, disappeared shortly after. We could not afford a lawyer, otherwise we would have sued the animal control. For trespassing, for lying, and for causing my dog to have an illness that resulted in death.
Name Withheld

Let's talk reality.
Public school is a mandatory government system to which we are required to send our children --- for 13 years. 
This 13-year system now gives our children what used-to-be the equivalent of an 8th grade education. It delivers this 8th grade-level education for $536 billion per year --- about $9,000 per student per year. 
Our legislators are desperately trying to fund this non-functioning system. Why?
More importantly --- what is wrong with us that we are willing to let our children be educated by the government?
Mike Ford
Austin, TX.

2+2=5
By the second or third grade, we've all learned 2 plus 2 equals 4. Keep that simple equation in mind, and you will have all you need to ward off the charlatans in the world who are regularly trying to flim-flam you
and in so doing fool with your freedom.
It works for everything, from global warming to diet fads.As for global warming, only 4 percent of all greenhouse gas emitted into the Earth's atmosphere is carbon dioxide. The charlatans would have you
believe that this 4 percent can have a major impact on global climate--more of an impact than the 96 percent from water vapor,
methane, and other greenhouse gases. That is unadulterated bad science-a figment of computer models with no substance whatsoever.
Similarly, fad diets claim one type of calorie is more dangerous than another type of calorie. A particular protein or carbohydrate or fat calorie is somehow more obesity-causing than a calorie of a different color. We are told to ignore the simple arithmetic of a calorie consumed versus a calorie burned. Fuzzy math again.
When someone tries to tell you that 2 plus 2 equals 5, grab your wallet
and run.
Jay H. Lehr, Ph.D.
Ostrander, Ohio

Sci-Fi-entology
I was browsing the internet for an understanding of this querroulus religeon, Scientology when I found your appealing and well investigated article. 
I am very pleased with your article and I thank you for having the courage to write it. Especially if this organization is as devious and vile as you've investigated. Standing up for God takes a great deal of courage these days.
I am a card carrying member of 'Joe Christian Public' - a nobody from nowhere, and fame will never be attached to my name.... nor would I welcome it.
I am a creature in bondage to sin like the rest of mankind. However, I have a Redeemer. Jesus Christ.
What I also have is a great empathy for mankind.... and all that that implies. If I could cure the world's wrongs and injustices I would. If I had Trump's and Travolta's money.... yep, I'd probably spoil our family a bit... buy my children cloths that fit better.... I'd really love to spend some time in a weight loss spa... so I would feel better and my feet wouldn't hurt so much... I'd fix the water leaks in the shower.... help everyone in our family get out of debt.... etc.... however, I'd make the other 98% of the money go toward leveling out the playing field for the disenfranchised and education. Rework hotels into places for the homeless with schools, medical care and job placement imbedded..... etc. (but I digress....)
I am amazed and disheartened to see so many educated, non-educated and public figures splash all over the t.v..... to advertise their fall from Grace into such an obvious shame against the One True God.
The name even..... Scientology sounds like something cooked up from the pages of one of L. Ron Hubbard's science fiction novels. How can a logical person.... fall into a 'religion' concocted by a science fiction novelist? Come on people.... WAKE UP! It was created in the 1950's or so wasn't it?! Straight from a man that is obsessed with Aliens and stated to get more MONEY he'd create a RELIGEON. Though he is gone... his vile satan money machine is still churning and churning up souls along with it.
Yes, like the movie stated, "If there is no other intelligent life out there (the universe), it would be an awful waste of space." (I can't think of the movie's title at the moment.) though I like the phrase.
So, yes, I'd REALLY like to believe there was somewhere else to go... or 'rescuers' if you will... to give us a ride to some safe earth-like place as we destroy our world with greed and greenhouse gases....
And yes, I'm a BIG Science Fiction and Science Fact fan. I love to believe in the 'What-If'..... and the possibility of scientific marvels and space travel. I bet the men and women at NASA feel the same way.
So.... Let's just PRETEND for one horrible moment that God does not exist.
People all around the world, since time began have been looking for a higher power, a reason for their existence. A purpose.
There have always been horrible things that happen that defy reasonable explanation and better still, miracles that defy anything we can attribute the occurrences to.
As a species, most of us like to find a tangible, understandable reason that we can comprehend for everything we experience... good or bad.
No one likes to be uncertain about the causes of things that go bump in the night, or why suddenly someone is healed, or even why a rainbow appears in the sky.
As a species we have tried to explain life's mysteries either by attaching a superstition or a scientific explanation to everything.
Great.
If God is a superstition. If Jesus is a superstition. Then you need only get out your calculator to make it a probable.... more than improbable - a scientific fact that God is indeed - The Way as opposed to.... L. Ron Hubbard.
All you have to do, calculator in hand, is figure what the odds are that so many truths and predictions in the bible could have come to fruition and are still proving true and coming true today. More than 300 prophecies are now today's facts..... 2000...... 2000 years later.
No people, I'm not making references to the bible code... but actual statements/truths in the bible.
How can you gamble your SOUL on a couple of 'SELF'-help decades cooked up by Ron Hubbard.
I am astounded that people are so easily taken in by anything so fictitious as Scientology. Satan is really working overtime.
Can Scientology help those people with self-esteem issues... probably. 
Can Scientology guide you on a more successful financial future.... probably....depends on who you talk to for advice in that organization.
Scientology - quasi-psychology - should be labeled for what it is.... simply a device, a program that helped some people lift up out of whatever drudgery they had let their minds fall into. Sure, it helped you.... maybe it's helping you now.... but SAVE your SOUL?Maybe it was that a therapist failed them in someway or they failed there therapist... or didn't seek a capable one... and this worked for them.... 
A therapy.... if you will.
Therapy works.... however, in the end.... the goal is to see that you are cured... or mostly so... and you are set free from the therapy to be an INDIVIDUAL again. Not a cult member of the therapy society. Therapists don't pretend to hold the 'secret of life', only a comprehensive way of 'dealing'. Psychology is viable, valuable and real resource for those in need of support.
However, a religion? Something meant to replace believing in the ONLY true salvation for your SOUL? No, it is not.
Scientology may help people in a variety of ways that they perceive in a secular fashion for their 'worldly' life, however, it cannot, it WILL NOT save your SOUL.
"What does it matter if you gain the world.... and lose your SOUL!" (I forget the passage numbers)
I would rather live my life trying each day to better my beliefs, my faith, that God has a plan and He will show us the meaning of all the mysterious around us.... FAITH.
And if I die.... and I am wrong....
Then like those who have also believed wrongly..... I have lost only my time and that was all there really was....
However, if Christians are correct.
Heaven awaits me and all who believe in the One True God and Jesus Christ as our ONLY WAY to be saved into the Kingdom of Heaven are our reward.
And if I am correct....
You only thought the world was a troubled place...
.HELL will be far worse.
If you are in doubt. And I hope I have cast even a small inkling of doubt into those that are not sure of their salvation.... type in the words... 'Unforgivable Sin' in your browser.
Read Mr. Graham's article on the subject. That is how I found it. I pray you make the right decision.
John 3:16 - believe it!
( I do not give permission in any way for you to publish my email address PLEASE. I am not inviting a public forum as you have. Just sharing my hopes that Christianity will prevail.)

New Caney = Roswell
Everyone has heard of Roswell, right? Sleepy little town in New Mexico that became the Mecca for UFO enthusiasts after an alleged flying disk crashed outside the town in July of 1947? Well, believe it or not, we may have our own little "Roswell" in Montgomery County.
The incident, known as the "Cash-Landrum Affair" or "Piney Woods Affair" occurred on the night of December 29, 1980. Fifty-one year old Betty Cash was traveling from New Caney to Dayton on FM road 1485 with fifty-seven year old Vickie Landrum and Vickie's seven year old grandson, Colby.
According to http://www.ufocasebook.com/Pineywoods.html  and John F. Schuessler's book, The Cash-Landrum UFO Incident, Betty, Vickie and Colby began to see a light in the distance, which eventually became a large glowing object, slowly crossing the tops of the tall pine trees. As they proceeded along their way, their initial thought was that the object was an airplane or helicopter. Suddenly, ahead of them loomed an immense diamond-shaped craft, which hovered over the road ahead of them! At regular, fast intervals, the object shot down a stream of reddish-orange flames. Vickie later described it as being "like a diamond of fire". 
They also heard a constant beeping sound as the strange craft spit out its fiery downspout. Frightened, Betty came to a quick stop to keep from running under the craft. 
The inside of her vehicle became so hot Betty had to turn off her heater and leave the car along with Vickie and Colby. They could hear a steady roaring sound coming from the frightening sight ahead of them. 
As Betty stood watching the craft, the sky suddenly became full of helicopters. She assumed that they were from Tomball Airfield, northwest of Houston, or Ellington Air Force Base, south of Houston. The eerie object then began to lift into the air, and proceed to the southwest, with helicopters in pursuit. 
As Betty returned to the car, the door handle was so hot she could hardly open the front door. She immediately turned on her air conditioner to cool off the inside of the vehicle. After the object left the area, she restarted the vehicle, hoping to get home and never see the craft again. However, after driving several miles they once again saw the object with its bright lights illuminating the helicopters still trying to encircle it. 
All three of the witnesses became extremely sick within the next few hours. Betty's head and neck were blistered, and soon her eyes were swollen shut. She was also terribly nauseated. By the next morning, she was almost in a coma. Vickie and Colby suffered very similar symptoms, yet not as severe as Betty's. 
After a couple of miserable days being cared for at Vickie's home, Betty checked into a hospital where she was treated as a burn victim. Her hair began to fall out, and her eyes swelled so badly, she could not see for about a week. Colby had problems with his eyes. Vickie also experienced hair loss. In addition, her scalp was numb and painful. All three of the victims were treated for radiation poisoning, and their condition was listed by doctors as life-threatening. Before long, skin sores developed, weight loss began, and skin cancer was diagnosed
As to the origin of the helicopters, local air bases were questioned, but would not admit to sending any helicopters out that night. The only public statement made by military officials came from Fort Hood press officer Major Tony Geishauser. In an interview with the Corpus Christi Caller newspaper, he stated that no Fort Hood aircraft were in the Houston area that night.
The section of FM 1485 was badly damaged by the emissions from the craft that night, but it was very quickly repaired. Investigators were at a loss to explain the events of that night, except to say that Betty, Vickie, and Colby had encountered a craft of undetermined origin, or possibly an experimental government craft. The three unwilling participants in this event sued the U.S. Government for medical damages, but during a congressional hearing, the Department of the Army Inspector General denied any military involvement in the case, and disallowed any compensation for the three unwilling participants in the Piney Woods affair. 
On the eighteenth anniversary of her encounter, (December 29, 1998) Betty Cash died. 
According to Bob Pratt (http://www.ufoarea.com/encounters_bob_pratt.html) "the case remains one of the most important in the history of ufology. It has never been resolved. Someone in the U.S. knows exactly what happened to Betty and Vickie and Colby but they have remained silent despite all the suffering - and ridicule - those three endured."
That's the short version of the story. The Bulletin should investigate what happened and open up the case. This is one of the most intriguing and unexplainable UFO events of our time. Who knows, New Caney could be the next Roswell! Give tours* set up a museum* sell T-shirts*
See also: http://www.qtm.net/~geibdan/a1999/cash.htm 
Ken McKee
Montgomery, Texas

Move Over Cindy 
Move Over Cindy. There is about to be a long line of folks who are going to want to ask George Bush a few questions. 
There are about to be thousands of mothers, daughters, brothers, fathers, uncles, aunts and friends who are all going to want to know why it took till Wednesday for George W Bush to mobilize the National Guard. 
When it becomes obvious that people died in their attics after having survived the hurricane, people are going to want to know why in heck we didn't pull the trigger immediately instead of waiting 72 hours to move in troops, helicopters, ships, nurses etc. etc. etc. 
When it becomes obvious that marauders killed people because the National Guard wasn't there to protect them, people are going to be angry. 
When it becomes known that Americans died because they went for days without emergency medical care, people are going to be angry. 
When people find out that Bush and his fellow Republicans denied money requested to fix the levies, people are going to be angry. 
Did Bush cause Katrina? Nope. Don't be stupid. 
Did Bush come in a day late and a dollar short? You bet your sweet bippy he did. 
Here's hoping that he decides to go over board now to redress his bad decisions. 
Here's hoping that as he stands there in front of our devastated coast claiming he's the “hurricane president” that we all give him the raspberry he so deserves.
Angie Pratt

America At Risk
The suicide bombings in Iraq could break out anywhere in America at any time. 
There are 1209 Islamic mosques in America teaching Muslim law. Muslim law divides the world into two entities, daru l-islam, the abode of Islam, and daru l-harb, the abode of war. Jihad, battling against the abode of war, is a duty for Muslims. The jihadist who dies in the battle against the infidels becomes a martyr, a shahid, and is guaranteed a place in Paradise where he will enjoy eternal sexual favors from his harem. 
Muslim law is behind England Prime Minister Tony Blair's recent call for deportation of Islamic fundamentalists. Freedom of religion does not cover murder. America, you are at risk also. 
Solamen David
Nacogdoches, Texas

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