"Put A Little Love In Your Heart" You Tube Music Video

["Put a Little Love in Your Heart"; as submitted to You Tube by shirleymacd; http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YC2Q3FdpX6I&feature=fvw]

I had another thread (hopefully tomorrow...) in mind; but boy am I beat! 

I love this song and video, though - and I hope you enjoy it too.

Even I (lol; it is hard work!) can't be serious all of the time.

Peace,

NS

Tax Deal... $11,000,000 Christmas Tree ... Happy Holidays - Merry Christmas - Happy Solstice - Happy Day - Or Whatever Else Best Applies...

Photo by BF / Ultilized with Permission

I'm sure this will bring great joy to all of the hungry children in the world...

"House sends tax-cut package to president - Politics - Capitol Hill - msnbc.com"; http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/40697296/ns/politics-capitol_hill/?gt1=43001

[I hope it works out for the best!]

"11 Million Christmas Tree Unveiled...in Abu Dhabi - FoxNews.com "; http://www.foxnews.com/leisure/2010/12/16/million-christmas-tree-unveiledin-abu-dhabi/?cmpid=prn_baynote-js_11_Million_Christmas_Tree_Unveiledin_Abu_Dhabi

Which kinda' says it (almost...) all!

Photo Card by NS

Still hoping for love, peace, equality, joy and humane ethical progress here on planet Earth...

My best to all,

NS

Throwing Darts... Minimum Wage... Constitution... Bill of Rights... Bush Jr.... Cheney... Scalia... Thomas... Koch Industries... Noam Chomsky... More...

["Noam Chomsky Compares Right-Wing Media to Nazi Germany"; as submitted to You Tube by ForaTV; October 14, 2009; http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6MHEuudJ-o0&feature=related] 
 
["Smart is the New Rich: Declining Minimum Wage"; as submitted to You Tube by plumstreetmusic; http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=drBu71rZKeM; November 20, 2010]

"The principle of the minimum wage comes with an inherent debate: Some argue that it contributes to an increased unemployment rate; others say that the minimum wage is crucial in keeping poverty levels low. It’s a debate that’s been going on since the establishment of a federal unemployment rate in the 1930s, but it has become even more relevant during these difficult economic times... 

Though the study presents interesting information, it’s especially compelling given the recent midterm elections, which could have an impact on both the minimum wage and employment. Here are a few things to keep in mind about the minimum wage:

Historically, the Democratic Party has proposed increases to the minimum wage, while the Republican Party has been in favor of capping or eliminating the minimum wage.

According to the 2000 Census, there are more than 10 million minimum-wage workers in the U.S.

In 2006, nearly half of surveyed economists said the minimum wage should be abolished. Only one-third said it should be increased.

Washington state has the highest minimum wage, at $8.55, followed by Oregon, at $8.40.

In January 2011, the minimum wage in San Francisco will be raised to $9.92. San Francisco also has one of the nation’s highest costs of living.

Five states in the U.S. have no minimum-wage requirement: Alabama, Louisiana, Mississippi, South Carolina and Tennessee.

Working a job at the current federal minimum wage, $7.25, for 40 hours per week, all 52 weeks of the year produces an annual, pre-tax income of $15,080. If about one-third of that income is paid in taxes and benefits, net annual income becomes $10,556.

In Oklahoma City, the major U.S. metropolitan area with the lowest average housing costs, one year of rent averages $8,676.

The poverty line for a family of four is an annual income of $22,050."

Source:  "A Few Things You Should Know About Minimum Wage"; Kaitlin Madden; http://www.theworkbuzz.com/current-affairs/a-few-things-you-should-know-about-minimum-wage/?cobrand=msn&utm_source=MSN&utm_medium=MSNHP&utm_campaign=MSNCareers&GT1=23000 ]

Study Cited in Article:  https://udrive.oit.umass.edu/folbre/REST_a_00039-Dube_proof2.pdf

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"Reports that two Supreme Court Justices have attended seminars sponsored by the energy giant and conservative bankroller Koch Industries has sparked a mild debate over judicial ethics.  []  On Tuesday evening, the New York Times reported that an upcoming meeting in Palm Springs of "a secretive network of Republican donors" that was being organized by Koch Industries, "the longtime underwriter of libertarian causes." Buried in the third to last graph was a note that previous guests at such meetings included Supreme Court Justices Antonin Scalia and Clarence Thomas, two of the more conservative members of the bench..."

Source:  "Justices Scalia and Thomas's Attendance at Koch Event Sparks Judicial Ethics Debate"; Sam Stein; Huffington Post; 10/20/2010 (First Reporting); http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2010/10/20/scalia-thomas-koch-industries_n_769843.html

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["Documentaire: [ASTRO] Turf Wars Koch Industries"; as submitted to You Tube by MrWonkish; November 27, 2010]..


["Scalia to Teach Bachmann's Constitution Class"; as submitted to You Tube by RWW Blog; http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nIPXkY0zoEo&feature=player_embedded]

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Interesting Link:  "Nominee had role in recount" - "Orlando Sentinel"; http://articles.orlandosentinel.com/2005-07-21/news/SCOTUSSIDE21_1_recount-roberts-presidential-election

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Clarence Thomas, who was appointed to the Federal Supreme Court by President George W. Bush Jr., is (or was) "a staunch Roman Catholic Right Wing Conservative... allegedly associated with Opus Dei, a cultic rigid faction (sometimes referred to as the 'Holy Mafia') of the Catholic Church."
Antonin Scalia, who was appointed to the Federal Supreme Court by President Ronald Reagan, "appears to be opposed to homosexual rights, pro-life (yet in favor of the death penalty), and pro-Christian Theocracy.  Scalia (along with Clarence Thomas and Rick Santorum) has also been associated [allegedly] with Opus Dei, a very rigid cultic faction (sometimes referred to as the "Holy Mafia") of the Catholic Church; and he [Antonin Scalia] appears to be [This may be past tense...] particularly close to Nebraska-born former Halliburton executive and [former]... Vice President (Under George W. Bush Jr.) Richard 'Dick' Cheney, who is [or was] allegedly the real power in the White house and a member of the 'Project for the New American Century', a little group that would apparently like to exploit the masses on a massive scale."

"Ode to the Wicker Man (Book II)"; 2007; NS [Bracketed Info Corrected and/or Updated]; p. 435 [Further sources noted in Reference Section of Book (Email wintedbirdinflight@live.com for more information regarding this book...]]

It should be noted that I did not state that either Scalia or Thomas are [or were] members of Opus Dei, but that they were reputedly "associated" with Opus Dei.  These and some other issues apparently remain a matter of debate; but there are other issues [evaluate at your own discretion] that do not...

"Opus Dei Cult (members include clarence thomas and scalia) - Democratic Underground";
http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=view_all&address=104x1628441

"Ratbang Diary Opus Dei and the Republican Party"; http://ratbangdiary.blogspot.com/2005/07/opus-dei-and-republican-party.html

"YouTube - Justice Scalia defends torture (MUST WATCH!!!)"; http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zPqjCM6e5oM

"YouTube - Clarence Thomas Hearings Biden Questions Thomas 1"; http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_2yfARRF9Co

"Clarence Thomas « Court Beat";
http://www.joanbiskupic.com/blog/?cat=16

"ThinkProgress » Exclusive Supreme Court Justice Sam Alito Dismisses His Profligate Right-Wing Fundraising As ‘Not Important’"; http://thinkprogress.org/2010/11/10/sam-alito-republican-fundraiser/


"Nigeria charges Cheney in bribery case - World news - Africa - msnbc.com";
http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/40555171

"The BRAD BLOG Cheney Charged"; http://www.bradblog.com/

"YouTube - Nigeria Issuing Arrest Warrant For Dick Cheney!"; http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YEL1212hD0k

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BTW, being a "person of faith" is one thing...  but should any of these people (a sincere question) really even be in the political arena?  Where does "separation of church and state" begin --- and where does it end?????

"How Sarah Palin Is Reshaping the Religious Right - Newsweek"; http://www.newsweek.com/2010/06/11/saint-sarah.html

"Mitt's Mission - Newsweek Mitt Romney";
http://www.newsweek.com/2007/10/01/mitt-s-mission.html

"What If Huckabee Were the Nominee - Newsweek";
http://www.newsweek.com/blogs/stumper/2008/10/09/what-if-huckabee-were-the-nominee.html

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Whatever the case, I would suggest that any aspiring politician, from a City Councilman to a United States Congressman, look up - study - and (within reason) memorize the "United States Constitution", the "Bill of Rights" and other such pertinent information at: 

"'Bill of Rights (United States Constitution)' -- Britannica Online Encyclopedia"; http://www.britannica.com/EBchecked/topic/503541/Bill-of-Rights

And  --- if they want an hour study period on the "US Constitution" and the "Bill of Rights" every day?  Cool. 

But lets leave the Supreme Court Judges (all of them / this certainly seems unconstitutional to me...) out of it --- eh?

[If any errors are noted, please let me know and I will make any necessary corrections after having researched the issue further.  Thank you.]

"Freethought of the Day"... "Bill of Rights"... "Ratification of the Constitution"... Questions.... Cher... "A Different Kind of Love Song"... You Tube Video

[ "Cher - A Different Kind of Love Song" (Live / HQ]; as submitted to You Tube by CherMusicForever; http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=B-ZBwngC6ew ]

"... On this date in 1791, the Bill of Rights to the U.S. Constitution was ratified.

“Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof; or abridging the freedom of speech, or of the press; or the right of the people peaceably to assemble, and to petition the Government for a redress of grievances.”

— Article I (First Amendment), Bill of Rights"

Compiled by Annie Laurie Gaylor; "Freethought of the Day"; Freedom From Religion Foundation; ffrf.org; http://ffrf.org/day/view/12/15/#ratification-of-the-constitution
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"Legal Dictionary...  Main Entry: 'abridge...abridg·ing... : to diminish or reduce in scope abridge the privileges and immunities of the citizens of the United States — U.S. Constitution amendment XIV"; Dictionary.com; Merriam-Webster's Dictionary of Law, © 1996;  http://dictionary.reference.com/browse/abridging ; http://dictionary.reference.com/. Accessed: December 15, 2010.
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If you look around - and/or check out some of the videos / information down below --- do you think the U.S. has been loyal to the Constitution and Bill of Rights in regard to:

1.  Not making any laws "respecting the establishment of a religion" [?]

a.  i.e., by making them exempt from taxation [?]

b  i.e., by granting them special allowances [like sovereinity (independence from government control....)] [?]

c.  i.e., by allowing religous leaders to have consult with the President of the United States; to serve on political bodies; and/or (other examples exist) to lobby the government [?]

d.  i.e., by actually supplying them with government funding (often sans government oversight) [?]

e.  i.e., by seemingly holding some religous "icons" exempt from the same laws and punishments that the population at large have to abide by / suffer [?]

2.  "Prohibiting" the free exercise of any "religion" [?]

i.e., Doesn't "free exercise" mean you can pray to any "God", practice any religion - and set up (on your own time and with your own funding) a place of worship?

3.  "Abridging the freedom of speech" [?]

a.  i.e., Do you feel like your voice is welcome in government?  Do you feel like you are truly listened to when you attend a City Council Meeting or call / visit one of your representatives?  Where do the people (locally) "lobby" since the demise of the old-fashioned "town hall"?  Will the City Council take our concerns about larger issues to the [next level up...] appropriate body - and so forth? 

b.  i.e., Don't we need a place to assemble that is bigger than a sidewalk?  Free?  Accessible?  In every town, City, County, State, Washington DC?  Do we have that?

c.  i.e., Where do we stand on the more complex issues... such as Internet "speech"...  "Wikileaks"... [it is all over the news...] - Etc.

4.  "Abridging" the "freedom of [the] press" [?]

a.  i.e., Where do we stand on the more complex issues... such as Internet "speech"... "Wikileaks"... ["""] - Etc.

b.  i.e., Should a religious body be allowed to own, operate, "control" and/or distribute newspapers (quite a few do...) outside of thier own congregations (?) [Sounds like a business venture to me... interfacing with government... (?)]

5.  "Abridging [the] right of the people peaceably to assemble, and to petition the Government for a redress of grievances.” [?}

i.e., [Repeat] Don't we need a place to assemble that is bigger than a sidewalk? Free? Accessible? In every town, City, County, State, Washington DC?

Do we have that? 

If so, why does it seem as if the majority of the American people - on small issues and on large issues - are NOT being heard / respected?  Why does everything appear to be a "double-bind" ("damned if you do / damned if you don't") [?]  Why are so many people left out of political discourse?

Can we learn to sing "A Different Kind of Love Song" (Cher) [?????]

Vatican Bank mired in money laundering scandal in latest stain on "God's Bankers" - South Florida Sun-Sentinel.com [Other news / Music Video...]

I'd be interested to know what happened to these investigations (?)

["Evangelist Investigation with the Trinity Foundation"; as submitted to You Tube by Trin80ty;  http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PWXYTIW5ViA&feature=mfu_in_order&list=UL ]

As a spiritual person, not religous, "take what you like and leave the rest."

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More Recent News:

Click for Link:  Vatican Bank mired in money laundering scandal in latest stain on "God's Bankers" - South Florida Sun-Sentinel.com


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Video Tip (To Lighten Things Up a Little) From a "Friend":

["Pray for You" (Country Version); as submitted to You Tube by JaronLongRoadVEVO; http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AFJu8DCH_b0&feature=player_embedded#!]

Very unbecoming for a pacifist and as someone that advocates against violence... but, hey, sometimes it is better to put a comic edge to anger than to let it seep too deep into ones soul...

From MoveOn.org Political Action: "Top 5 Problems with the Tax Deal..."

Photo of an old "Jack and the Beanstalk" Book

The Following was Copied and Pasted [punctuation modified for placement here]  from an Email Recieved From MoveOn.org Political Action:

"Top 5 Problems with the Tax Deal... [Color and Emphasis Mine]

Everyone knows that the "deal" that President Obama agreed to with Republicans will extend George W. Bush's reckless millionaire tax bailout--but what a lot of folks don't realize is that there are lots of other terrible parts of it, too.


Unemployed Americans desperately need their benefits extended to get by in this economy—so Republicans held them hostage to force through a slew of horrible economic policies in this deal.


Can you check out the list below and then share it by posting it on facebook and twitter and forwarding to your friends?...


Problem #1: The deal is a stealth attack on Social Security.



The deal will lower the payroll tax—the tax that funds the Social Security trust. This is a trap for Democrats. Republicans have been coming after Social Security for years and this cut is the biggest threat to the vital program in decades. It will cut one-third of Social Security's funding this year alone and when we need to restore the payroll tax back to its current level, Republicans will cry "tax increases" and could gut it permanently. 1
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Problem #2: For nearly one in three workers, it's a tax increase.


Nearly 50 million working Americans—including all workers making less than $20,000 per year—and millions of federal, state, and municipal workers will see their taxes go up because of the deal.2
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Problem #3: The deal has not one but TWO millionaire bailouts.


In addition to extending all the Bush income tax breaks for the top 2%, the deal will slash the estate tax. If Congress did nothing, next year the estate tax would be 55% and apply to everyone inheriting $1 million or more. But the deal reduces it to 35% and only people who inherit more than $5 million will have to pay. This second bailout will give a gigantic tax giveaway to a few thousand of the richest families in the country and add hundreds of billions to the national debt.3
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Problem #4: Unemployment help is insufficient and inadequate.



While the deal extends unemployment benefits for another 13 months for people currently receiving it, millions of unemployed workers who've struggled the most and been out of work more than 99 weeks—since the giant Wall Street banks wrecked the economy—will get no help at all under the deal.4 It's a gamble that there will be jobs in the next 13 months when the insurance runs out, but the tax cuts will go well beyond that. Better to just pass a stand-alone unemployment extension to help all struggling Americans.
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Problem #5: Tax giveaways to the rich are a terrible way to create jobs.



Tax breaks for the rich are the least efficient way to create jobs and help the economy grow. In fact the nonpartisan Congressional Budget Office says extending all tax cuts would lower unemployment only 0.1% to 0.3% over the next year5 and that the cost of the tax deal would be $900 billion over the next five years.6
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Sources:

1."Tax Cut Deal A Hidden Threat To Social Security" The Huffington Post, December 8, 2010
http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2010/12/08/tax-cut-deal-a-hidden-thr_n_793983.html


2. "Obama-Republican Deal Could Mean Tax Hike For One In Three Workers" The Huffington Post, December 10, 2010
http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2010/12/10/obamarepublican-deal-coul_n_795187.html


3. "Estate tax deal: worst part of a bad tax compromise" The Christian Science Monitor, December 7, 2010
http://www.csmonitor.com/Business/Tax-VOX/2010/1207/Estate-tax-deal-worst-part-of-a-bad-tax-compromise


4. "Unemployment benefits: Extension won't help '99ers'" The Christian Science Monitor, December 7, 2010
http://www.csmonitor.com/Business/Latest-News-Wires/2010/1207/Unemployment-benefits-Extension-won-t-help-99ers


5. "The Deal" Paul Krugman, The New York Times, December 7, 2010
http://krugman.blogs.nytimes.com/2010/12/07/the-deal/


6. "CBO score shows tax plan ups deficit $900 billion in 5 years" CNN.com, December 10, 2010
http://articles.cnn.com/2010-12-10/politics/tax.plan_1_tax-cuts-tax-plan-bush-era-tax?_s=PM:POLITICS "