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The Qualified Quest for Justice

Jews, Christians and Muslims Unite Against Evildoers

copyright © 2009 Betsy L. Angert.  BeThink.org Just days ago, throughout the globe, people celebrated religious holidays.  Peace on Earth and good will to all men was the palpable feeling that filled the air.  Everywhere anyone turned expressions of fondness for our fellow beings could be heard.  People were filled with glee.  Then, suddenly, the sound that is the silent hum of joyous laughter was broken.  Everything changed.  Yet, indeed nothing did.  The cycle of violence that has perpetually existed on this planet began again.  The qualified quest for justice was once more the people's agenda.  In Israel and Gaza, bombs blasted.  Bullets whizzed by the heads of frantic, frightened people who sought shelter from another Mediterranean storm.  Some died.  Hamas was blamed for the initial attacks, this time.  As had occurred on other occasions, Israel, in the name of self-defense, fought back.  The roles might have been reversed and have been.

Dana Perino and Helen Thomas on Iraq, War, and the Loss of Innocents

White House Spokeswoman Dana Perino and Helen Thomas on Iraq

copyright © 2007 Betsy L. Angert. BeThink.org

The lovely and graceful Press Secretary Dana Perino stood before correspondents and the country. She stated, while at war the United States slaughters no guiltless men, women, or children. The innocent are not blameless. They are indeed, the enemy. Young, old, and middle age alike, all once thought to be above suspicion, are now considered terrorist. Friends are foe as Americans endeavor to spread good will and democracy.

A Climate of Fear Permeates; Morton High School Students Protest

Climate of Fear

copyright © 2007 Betsy L. Angert. BeThink.org

"The tragedy of our day is the climate of fear in which we live and fear breeds repression. Too often, sinister threats to the Bill of Rights, to freedom of the mind are concealed under the patriotic cloak of anti-Communism [terrorism, nationalism, or compassionate Conservatism.] It's far easier to fight for principles than to live up to them." ~ Adlai Stevenson. 1952 [Governor of Illinois, Democratic presidential candidate]

It was a quiet day in America; yet, the feeling of fear was palpable. Oceans away, in Baghdad, the air was filled with the smell of napalm. Frightened, as the young contemplated their future, seventy some courageous and committed students filed into the Morton West High School cafeteria in Berwyn, Illinois. Trepidation for their lives, and the lives of friends, family, and those innocent Iraqi citizens they never met prompted these pupils to take action. The young and eligible enlistees protested the war in Iraq.

Tillman, Lynch Testimony. Congressional Committee Told of Tall Tales

Hearing on Tillman, Lynch Incidents: Jessica Lynch's Opening © copyright 2007 Betsy L. Angert

He cried as he read his prepared text. As I watched and listened, I too felt the tears flow. Kevin Tillman, brother of slain serviceman and famous National Football League player, Pat Tillman is among many concerned citizens and soldiers speaking in front of the House Committee on Oversight and Government Reform today, April 24, 2007. Army Private, Jessica Lynch expresses her bewilderment. Miss Lynch inquired as she referred to her esteemed prominence. She stated, "However, I am still confused as to why they chose to lie and tried to make me a legend when the real heroics of my fellow soldiers that day were, in fact, legendary." The Committee conferred and listened to the testimony.

Live Your Life; Rest In Peace

Live Your Life © copyright 2007 Betsy L. Angert
I offer my thanks to the creator, Danny Smith, and to the Sandwichman at MaxSpeak for stimulating this sharing.

We wake to work, dress for the job, drive to the office, factory, educational institution, the fields, or perchance, a restaurant. Perhaps, we travel to the site, go underground, or seek scaffolding. Some soar above the clouds to complete their designated task, or is the word "required" a more accurate term for what we do daily.

Are Stepparents Real Parents? Are Biological Parents Best?

© copyright 2007 Betsy L. Angert

More than a month ago, I began writing this treatise. The significance of stepparents and adopted parents was on my mind. Gerald R. Ford had passed and there was ample discussion of his heritage. Gerald Rudolff Ford Senior did not father his son in a biological sense. Still, the elder Ford was Daddy. Jerry Ford spoke of his father often and how significant he was in the his life. The elder Ford raised his son as any parent would, even though he was actually a stepparent. Ford, the President was not adopted until he in his twenties. At that age, an adoption was perhaps a gesture; after all Jerry Ford was legally an adult. Gerald R. Ford Junior wanted to honor his father or the man that, young Jerry truly felt was Daddy.

I too was fathered by a man not my biological match. For years, this gentle human choose to relate to me as if I was his own offspring. Legally, we had no connection. Let us call him "Adam," was my stepparent. Yet, this soft-spoken man was my Dad. Long before I could, with permission from the government, call him Daddy he nurtured my heart, mind, and spirit. I too am adopted; my adoption was long in coming. For years my biological father, perchance, we can title him Michael, refused to give his permission. In some states, possibly all, this is necessary. As I listened to President Ford's history, I thought of how it mirrored my own.

Procreate or Annul the Marriage. Washington Initiative

© Copyright 2007 Betsy L. Angert

After marrying, my Mom tried diligently for four full years to give birth to a child. She went from specialist to specialist. Batteries of tests were run, and then, re-run. Although she and my father were both fertile and they were a couple that thoroughly enjoyed intercourse, they could not seem to produce a baby. My Mom, a scientist at heart, concluded that perhaps, she was not fecund when most women were. Perchance her cycle was different. Once considering that possibility was enough. From then on, she was able to plan her pregnancies. My Mom gave birth to three children, none born in the first three years.

Apparently, if a Washington State initiative passes, couples such as my parents would be required to have their marriage annulled. "Naturally," gay partnerships, would not, could not be considered. Obviously, such a union would not be classified as marriage material. The Religious Right, may have felt embolden after the state Supreme Court upheld a ban on same-sex marriage, however they did not propose a plan to go further. They did not restrict what constitutes marriage in a manner that might seem feasible to them. Numerous pious persons say the bible deems the purpose of matrimony is procreation. Thus, the Washington Defense of Marriage Alliance took action.

Texas Mandates STD Vaccination for Elementary Age Schoolgirls

© copyright 2007 Betsy L. Angert

Please view this Gardasil Commercial. Does this preparation protect the young and naïve? Might this drug cause undetermined side effects? What might these be? Societal effects may be as daunting as physiological. You decide.

I share this information only to stimulate thought and discussion. I am baffled when a Governor acts against his own interests and supposed beliefs. Texas Governor Rick Perry is a conservative Christian. He avidly opposes abortion and strongly disagrees with policies that encourage the use of embryonic cells in stem-cell research. This Southern Governor considers the religious right his political base; he depends on their votes and continued support. Without these God-fearing persons residing in the Lone Star state, the Governor cannot function as he does.

Yet, Friday, Governor Perry seems to acted against the will of his people. He imposed a law that would mandate cervical cancer vaccines for very young girls. Sixth graders, ages eleven and twelve [11 and 12] would receive inoculations, protecting them against a sexually transmitted disease.

Super Bowl Mania Stimulates Reflection; Election Reform

Please view this simulation, Super Bowl XLI. Perhaps, it will stimulate thoughts of election reform.

© copyright 2007 Betsy L. Angert
Last evening, or was it this morning, I took the late night flight from California to Florida. I was returning home, to the state hosting the final football match, Super Bowl 2007. The plane was packed. As we stood in line at the gate people chattered. Many were very young, barely out of their teens. Some singles straggled in. Couples collected in the boarding area. The elderly were evident. They were all energized. Party; Party; Party!!! The power of play was everywhere. I was unwittingly part of a popular event. I wish it were an election that stimulated such interest and energy; however, it was not. It was the slamming of bodies, the glory of the game, fame, and fortune that ignited the masses. Crowds were turning out in droves for Super Bowl XLI!

Can a Muslim, Christian, Jew Be A Good American Citizen? ©

Mo Amer: Testing Americans On Muslim I.Q.

Dearest Reader . . .

Again, I received an electronic communiqué that left me feeling nauseous. This one is titled, "Can A Muslim Become A Good American Citizen? Can they be a good person?"

This communication is from an individual that barely knows me. She is a devout and practicing Christian. This woman attends church regularly and speaks of the Lord religiously. She often states she would never wish to hurt another; yet . . .

On the holiest of all Christian holidays, on the day that believers, throughout the globe honor their Lord Jesus Christ, this religious disciple sent me a bigoted letter in support of "racial profiling." In truth, this "epistle" seems to justify "ethnic cleansing." This patriotic preaching professes, people are not created equal, or after birth, they become evil. According to this missive, in America, the Constitutional right establishing freedom of religion is unwise. Muslims must be damned. Please ponder the passage and decide for yourself.