I PUT PRESIDENT GEORGE W. BUSH UP FOR SALE ON EBAY

(NOTE: EBAY FOUND IT--IT WOUND UP AT THE TOP OF GOOGLE & YAHOO NEWS--AND WAS GETTING HUGE TRAFFIC--THEY'VE DELETED IT!)

IT'S NEVER BEEN DONE BEFORE--SO I AM FIRST!
I PUT PRESIDENT GEORGE W. BUSH UP FOR SALE ON EBAY ON CHRISTMAS EVE!

US President George W. Bush Up For Sale on Ebay

Internet Pioneer/Satirist/Government Teacher Puts President George W. Bush Up For Sale on Ebay!

EBAY ITEM NUMBER: 190185651781 OR TYPE IN: PRESIDENT GEORGE W. BUSH 43rd

Sure there are signed photographs of George W. Bush up for sale on Ebay as there are many other souvenirs of the 43rd President, but this time, Internet Pioneer/Satirist/Government Teacher Eliot Stein has actually put our Chief Executive up for sale!

“There are 300 million Americans. Each one of us owns 1/300th million of George W. Bush. It is the citizens of this country who own the office of the President of the United States . I am just doing this on behalf of the 50% of American citizens who cannot wait one more year until another man or woman assumes the position of the Presidency.

“He is a Lame Duck President. Nothing effective or representing the will of the American people will come forward over the next year. He is essentially powerless with a Democratic controlled Congress. And Dick Cheney? He’s Lame and he goes Duck Hunting and we all know what happens when that takes place,” says Stein.

Eliot Stein, an internet pioneer who created and ran Showbiz Online for both AOL and CompuServe in the early 1980’s and remained with the companies for 20 years, became a Government and History teacher after a merger changed things around. He says that he is applying the real life lessons of Government for his students in this unusual sale on Ebay.

“Have you ever played Monopoly? After the rules are stated, there is nothing in them that says you can or cannot trade properties—which is done all the time. There is nothing in the Constitution or the Bill Of Rights that says we can or cannot sell the President of the United States if he is not doing an effective job,” says Stein.

“As a matter of fact, Amendments 9, 10 and 25 actually do lean towards giving us this authority. Amendments 9 and 10 basically say that just because something is not currently written in the Constitution, doesn’t mean that that those rights are not available to the people, citizens and the States! And Amendment 25 says something that most Americans are absolutely not aware of. It gives the Vice-President and the Cabinet members the authority to remove a sitting President if they decide for example, that he is unstable or cannot function in office. It is called an Involuntary Withdrawl and has never been used. Although Richard Nixon would have been an appropriate candidate. . Otherwise, the standard ways a President leaves office is by resigning, dying or impeachment.”

Stein lists a number of viable possibilities that George W. Bush can be used for by a potential buyer. “He’d make a great Latin American Tinhorn Dictator—And Can Start Many Wars.” “He Can Manage Your Baseball Team.” “Ringling Bros. Could Always Use Another Clown.” “He’d Make A Great Lobbyist For Your Polluting Corporation!

EBAY LISTING AS POSTED 7:00 PM PST:

President George W. Bush -- 43rd President Of The United States
One Lame Duck President of the United States -- FOR SALE
No, this is not an autographed picture of the President for sale or some piece of
memorabilia. This is actually the sale of the President of the United States!
Every citizen of the United States is 1/300 millionth owner of this President. At least 50% of you believe he has not done his job effectively and do not wish for him to continue another long year.
So he is up for sale! What could you do with your very own George W. Bush?
He’d make a great Latin American Tinhorn Dictator—And Can Start Many Wars!

He Can Manage Your Baseball Team

Ringling Bros. Could Always Use Another Clown

He’d Make A Great Lobbyist For Your Polluting Corporation!
HE HAS GREAT EXPERIENCE!
President Of the United States
Governor of the Lone Star State
Owner of a Poorly Performing Major League Baseball Team
AWOL from Texas National Guard
Harvard Frat Boy
WHY WE BELIEVE WE CAN SELL THE PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES ON EBAY:
Have you ever played Monopoly? After the rules are stated, there is nothing in them that says you can or cannot trade properties—which is done all the time. There is nothing in the Constitution or the Bill Of Rights that says we can or cannot sell the President of the United States if he is not doing an effective job.
As a matter of fact, Amendments 9, 10 and 25 actually do lean towards giving us this authority. Amendments 9 and 10 basically say that just because something is not currently written in the Constitution, doesn’t mean that that those rights are not available to the people, citizens and the States! And Amendment 25 says something that most Americans are absolutely not aware of. It gives the Vice-President and the Cabinet members the authority to remove a sitting President if they decide for example, that he is unstable or cannot function in office. It is called an Involuntary Withdrawl and has never been used. Although Richard Nixon would have been an appropriate candidate. Otherwise, the standard ways a President leaves office is by resigning, dying or impeachment.
Be the FIRST on your block to own President George W. Bush!
DISCLAIMER: Completed transaction will require the cooperation and approval of President George W. Bush. Any funds raised will go to a charitable organization supporting returning Iraq veterans.
It's wonderful that Americans still have a sense of humor. Try doing this in North Korea.

I Thought This Was A Joke--It Wasn't

Wellington, New Zealand

Drunk New Zealand Santas go on rampage at cinema

A gang of about 50 apparently drunken Santas invaded a New Zealand cinema complex at the weekend — frightening customers, damaging property and swearing, the cinema's manager said Monday.

Police believe the Santas were a group of university students dressed in Santa suits who ran amok for 20 seconds through Hoyts Cinema complex in the South Island city of Christchurch on Saturday, manager Derek Rive said.

"As they ran through the complex they wrecked everything they could, the Christmas tree — they bowled everything over ... (they were) just absolute fools," he told The Associated Press.

He said the "hooligans" abused patrons, chanted obscenities, ripped down posters and knocked over cardboard figures advertising films.

"How often do a bunch of Santas just go and wreak havoc?" Rive said. "It was a random act of stupidity" that upset moviegoers.

Cinema patron Kate Gorman, 35, was waiting to see the movie "Enchanted" with her two children when the group arrived.

"At least 50 drunk idiots dressed up like Santa came in through the main door," she told local paper the "Christchurch Press."

"They were kicking things over, ripping down posters and smashing everything in sight," Gorman said. "They were all dressed as Santa and shouting 'Ho (expletive) ho.'"

Her children, Gabriella, 6, and Jackson, 7, had been confused by the incident.

"They asked me, 'Are they Santa's helpers gone crazy?' and I said 'No, they are just idiots,'" she was reported saying.

As they left, the Santas triggered a fire alarm, forcing several hundred patrons to evacuate the complex for half an hour.

I Saw It Coming--Before Anybody Else In The Media

You will notice that on November 16, I posted John F. Kennedy's speech on "Separation Of Church and White House," when JFK was being scrutinized as a Catholic candidate for President.

Now on December 7, the speech is posted everywhere in connection with Mitt Romney, a Mormon running for President.

I saw it coming before anybody. I knew he would eventually have to make reference to it. Many Americans are afraid of a Mormon becoming President.

And he did make reference to it in his speech yesterday, trying to prove that he wouldn't take orders from Salt Lake City if he is elected President.

"Almost 50 years ago another candidate from Massachusetts explained that he was an American running for president, not a Catholic running for president," Romney said. "Like him, I am an American running for president. I do not define my candidacy by my religion. A person should not be elected because of his faith nor should he be rejected because of his faith."

However, he makes another statement in his speech which is quite disturbing to millions of Americans.

"Freedom requires religion, just as religion requires freedom. Freedom opens the windows of the soul so that man can discover his most profound beliefs and commune with God. Freedom and religion endure together, or perish alone," the GOP contender said.

A growing 12% of all Americans are either Atheist or Agnostic or Don't Have Any Interest in Religion.

This means that over 30 million Americans either Don't Believe in God, say I Don't Know If God Exists--Prove It To Me, or Have No Interest In Religion At All.

Romney has just discounted the human worth and potential of 30 million Americans, has said that they are incapable of experiencing or participating in Freedom, and will be responsible for the end of Freedom In America.

He may have made some fans in the right-winged Christian voting bloc, but has alienated 30 million other Americans who are exercising their Constitutional rights.

HAPPY THANKSGIVING AMERICANS! And Remember--According To The Bush Administration--U.S. Presence in Iraq Has Turned Around And is Now Working!

Wednesday 21 November: 67 dead

Baghdad: gunmen kill interior ministry secretary; 9 bodies found, 6 in mass grave in back garden in Saidiya.
Ramadi: suicide car bomb kills 6; mass grave is found, containing 40 bodies.
Hawija: US forces raid house, kill 4 peasants from the same family.
Baquba: 3 bodies.
Mosul: 2 bodies.

Tuesday 20 November: 31 dead

Baghdad: 6 killed in separate incidents, Mansour, Atifiya, Bayaa; 6 bodies.
Zighania: gunmen attack home, kill 3 brothers.
Dhuluiya: 3 bodies.
Basra: 4 bodies.

Monday 19 November: 40 dead

Baghdad: roadside bomb kills 1, Baladiyat; 3 bodies.
Basra: mother and 5 children are killed when a rocket hits their house; body found.
Baquba: gunmen attack police station, kill 3 policemen; 3 bodies.
Falluja: 3 killed by car bomb.
Samarra: 4 bodies.
Tikrit: 5 bodies of policemen found.

Sunday 18 November: 31 dead

Baghdad: car bomb kills 10, Karrada; taxi driver shot dead by US forces; 4 bodies.
Mosul: suicide car bomber attacks police checkpoint, kills 4.
Baquba: roadside bomb kills 3 children as they flock around US patrol handing out gifts.
Samarra: US forces open fire on cars, kill 3.

Saturday 17 November: 61 dead

Baghdad: an estimated 39 bodies found -around 33 inside a deserted bulding and 6 in various areas of the capital.
Mosul: gunmen kill 5 civilians; 5 bodies.
Baquba: gunmen kill civilian; 6 bodies found in surrounding villages.
Amara: gunmen kill 2.

Friday 16 November: 31 dead

Baghdad: roadside bomb kills 1, Nahda; 4 bodies.
Diyala: roadside bomb kills 3 policemen.
Shaikhy: gunmen attack village, 7 villagers die in clashes.
Sadiya: the bodies of 2 brothers found.
Anbar: 10 bodies.

Thursday 15 November: 19 dead

Baghdad: gunman kills school principal, Kadhimiya; 6 bodies.
Kirkuk: suicide car bomb kills 7.
Jalawla: gunmen kill farmer.
Baquba: man dies in US fire.
Mahaweel: body found.

Wednesday 14 November: 77 dead

Baghdad: roadside bomb kills 2, Salhiya; 3 oil ministry employees shot dead in their vehicle; car bomb kills civilian in the north/east; 5 bodies.
Iskandariya: suicide car bomber attacks gathering of anti al-Qaeda Sheikhs, kills 3.
Mosul: gunmen kill 4 in separate incidents; Iraqi soldiers kill 2 during clashes; 4 bodies found, one beheaded.
Tarmiya: up to 45 Sunni Awakening Council members reported mistakenly killed in US air and ground attack.

22 unidentified bodies are buried in Kirkuk.

Tuesday 13 November: 24 dead

Baghdad: 6 bodies.
Mosul: US forces kill suspected insurgent in his house, along with his wife and baby; gunmen kill policeman; gunmen kill medic; body found.
Baquba: 2 die in explosions.
Abu Saida: 3 bodies.
Kirkuk: policeman killed by gunmen; body found.

280 teachers have been killed since the 2003 invasion, according to UN report.

60,000 people are currently detained in Iraq (International Committee of the Red Cross).

Monday 12 November: 31 dead

Baghdad: gunmen kill 2 policemen, Abu Ghraib; 5 bodies.
Baquba: gunmen kill academic, Dr Haitham Abdel-Salam, and passenger in his car.
Mosul: 4 killed in separate incidents.
Jurf al-Sakhar: roadside bomb kills 2.
Hawija: headless corpse is found.
Qadir Kam: family of 5 is found murdered.
Adwaniya: 5 citizens fighting against al-Qaeda are killed during battle.

Sunday 11 November: 17 dead

Baghdad: roadside bomb targeting US patrol kills 12-year-old child, Baladiyat; civilian killed in bomb explosion outside policeman's house, Bayaa; 4 bodies.
Baquba: gunmen kill student.
Mosul: man killed by gunmen; body found.
Qasim: body found.
Diwaniya: 3 killed in violent attacks.

Saturday 10 November: 42 dead

Baghdad: roadside bomb kills 2, Baladiyat; man is shot dead in his car, Adil; 3 'Awakening' members are mistakenly killed in US airstrike, Yathrib; another civilian is killed in the same airstrike; 6 bodies.
Diwaniya: US plane bombs two homes, kills father of 10.
Baquba: 2 killed by gunmen; 4 bodies.
Mosul: 4 killed by roadside bomb; gunmen kill policeman.
Balad Ruz: roadside bomb kills 2 policemen.

Friday 9 November: 28 dead

Baghdad: 2 killed by roadside bomb, Kadhimiya; 3 bodies.
Khanaqeen: 3 policemen killed in explosions.
Balad Ruz: 3 children killed in mortar attacks.
Baquba: a bomb in a field kills child.
Hawija: policeman killed by roadside bomb.
Albu Ajeel: gunmen attack on village leaves 3 residents dead.
Khalis: suicide bomber blows himself up inside Sheikh's house during meeting, kills 5 Sunni Sheikhs and 2 others.

Thursday 8 November: 40 dead

Baghdad: policeman killed in ambush; 4 bodies.
Falluja: roadside bomb targeting police patrol kills 6 policemen.
Mandali: gunmen kill 3 policemen; 9 bodies.
Baquba: 2 members of Awakening Council killed by gunmen; policeman killed during clashes.
That Thar: 7 bodies.
Mahaweel: 2 bodies.

WHO MADE THIS RADICAL "SEPARATION OF CHURCH AND STATE" STATEMENT?

"I believe in an America where the separation of church and state is absolute--where no Catholic prelate would tell the President (should he be Catholic) how to act, and no Protestant minister would tell his parishioners for whom to vote--where no church or church school is granted any public funds or political preference--and where no man is denied public office merely because his religion differs from the President who might appoint him or the people who might elect him.

I believe in an America that is officially neither Catholic, Protestant nor Jewish--where no public official either requests or accepts instructions on public policy from the Pope, the National Council of Churches or any other ecclesiastical source--where no religious body seeks to impose its will directly or indirectly upon the general populace or the public acts of its officials--and where religious liberty is so indivisible that an act against one church is treated as an act against all. "

ANSWER BELOW

RIGHT PLACE AT THE RIGHT TIME

THE HOTTEST TICKET IN HOLLYWOOD FRIDAY NIGHT WAS AT THE LIVE BROADCAST OF "Real Time With Bill Maher" at CBS. The weekly nationwide HBO show in which Bill Maher holds a panel discussion usually goes off smoothly and represents the art of "Live Television," something which there is very little of in prime time except for "Saturday Night Live."
On Friday night's broadcast, about 25 minutes into the show, a man goes crazy in the audience, starts ranting and raving and is taken out by security. Maher starts screaming as to where the (profanity) security is. Maher jumps off the stage into the audience and gets involved in the turmoil. When he returns to the stage and tries to start again, another person starts screaming at him. And another, and another, and another. A clear organized set-up. The protesters are upset with Bill because he doesn't believe the conspiracy theories that the government was involved in the fall of the towers on 9-11. A wild night indeed. Already being talked about everywhere.

How did I spend Friday night? By TOTAL COINCIDENCE, I decided to come to the live broadcast. I am a baby boomer. I grew up with the wonderful art that was "Live Television."
Whether it was "Bozo's Circus" on WGN or "What's My Line" on CBS, this was a phenomenal art. Shows broadcast live. No digital censoring. Whatever happens--happens.

I shared the magical memories of live television with my fellow baby boomer guest on the way there. We talked about how ANYTHING could happen when it was live.

And we happened to pick the one show in which anything like this has ever happened to Bill Maher.

If you watch the rebroadcast, you can clearly see me in the first row, as Bill Maher runs up the aisle into the center of the dispute. I am waving my hands left and right--I had a feeling I would be right in the frame. I even was interviewed as the key eyewitness to the action:

Bill Maher Helps Security Remove Protestor During Live Broadcast

Saturday, October 20, 2007

LOS ANGELES — Bill Maher can add "security guard" to his job description alongside comedian and political commentator.

Maher on Friday night helped security remove a rowdy protester from the studio during his weekly HBO show "Real Time with Bill Maher," and it was all captured on live television.

Maher was talking science during one of his weekly panel discussions when a protester in his audience stood up, held up a smuggled-in sign reading "9/11 is a cover up fraud" and shouted comments to the same effect.

The host tried to shout down the audience member, who only became more agitated.

"Do we have some (expletive) security in this building," Maher yelled, "or do I have to come down there and kick his (expletive)?"

When security reached the man's aisle and the man resisted leaving, Maher ran into the seats and helped them push him out the door, shouting "Out! Out! Out!"

Several other protesters, sprinkled throughout the audience, then stood up and shouted.

"This isn't the Iowa Caucus, OK, we're not here to debate," Maher shouted with most of his audience cheering him on. "This is the problem with live television."

The incident was shown live on the East Coast, and the network appeared to show the entire affair unedited for the taped-delayed West Coast version.

After the instigators were ejected, Maher told his panelists — MSNBC's Chris Matthews, Los Angeles Times columnist Joel Stein and Congresswoman Sheila Jackson — that they often linger outside his studio to share 9/11 conspiracy theories with him and try to get into the show.

"It's the only time I defend Bush," he said.

"I'm thinking about firing my audience department," he added.

Regular audience members found the ruckus thrilling.

"We picked a very exciting night to be here," Eliot Stein, a 54-year-old high school teacher, said via cell phone. "There's few live TV shows anymore, and here you got to see, it was like a movie. it was great."

Phone and e-mail messages left with HBO officials late Friday were not immediately returned.

IN 1492...

It was your first brainwashing as a child in American schools. Christopher Columbus discovered America and everybody was happy! Time to wave flags and celebrate. The chances are you have never learned much beyond that regarding the explorer of the New World.

85 people were arrested for trying to enlighten the public yesterday at a Columbus Parade.
They wanted the public to know the truth.

The Native Indian population of the Caribbean would go from estimates of 15 million to 200 people remaining within 60 years of Columbus' first contact.

The friendly Indians (described as such by Columbus and his men in their diaries) were very gentle people. They even gave their new friends the shiny necklaces they were wearing. That would become their downfall. As gold was discovered, the Spaniards needed free labor. The Indians would become enslaved under Columbus and the Spaniards, working in the gold mines until they dropped dead. Those who did not produce enough gold would be mutilated, tortured or murdered.

Many of them died from the new diseases that were introduced to them from Europe.
And many of them would die from slave work, cruel fun, atrocities and extermination.

But Columbus discovered the New World and changed the course of history to what would become America you say!

Hitler invented the Volkswagen and modern freeways which would also change the course of history in America! Does he deserve a holiday any more than Columbus?

Thinking For Themselves--Can They Do That?

Students at Boulder High School in Colorado have infuriated right-wing America when they walked out of classes on Thursday in protest of having to recite the Pledge Of Allegiance. The students' main conflict with the Pledge is the phrase "One Nation Under God" which they believe is offensive to atheists, those who have more than one God, and those who just don't want to hear any religion during school time.

They further believe that it is a violation of "Separation of Church and State." They have created an alternate pledge which focuses on "allegiance to constitutional rights."

They all deserve A+ for their test of our Democracy and the Bill Of Rights.

It means that they were actually paying attention in Government and U.S. History class.

It means that instead of just reading a chapter and that's the end of it, they are thinking for themselves and applying what they have learned in the real world.

Isn't that the purpose of 12 years of school? To create independent thinking citizens that go out and defend the Constitution and Democracy and try and make things better and fairer for all members of the society?

Or are you thinking, "Why can't these kids go watch 'American Idol' and send text messages to their friends instead of protesting???"

Get Ready To Call It "Socialized Medicine" Again

"Where does it say that somebody who is poor should get the same kind of health care as someone who is rich? It’s the same for cars, homes, etc.
Let the marketplace work it out."

LARRY ELDER -talk show host KABC Los Angeles

Larry, you've said it all! And we should apply the same to FOOD as well. I mean, where does it say that somebody who is poor should have the same right to eat as someone who is rich? Let the marketplace work it out! The poor can go dumpster diving in the back of supermarkets. There's plenty of leftovers! Or they can go begging for food on the streets--something all of us have witnessed in most American cities.

When I look at our country's basic foundations and guarantees--the right to life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness--I like to think that equal, affordable and accessible health care is one of those promises to every American citizen--regardless of their race, religion, age, social status or financial situation.

The Congress of the United States has the finest Health Care policies in existence for its own members--as do our leaders who are ignoring the will of the American people--all courtesy of the U.S. citizens and taxpayers.

Why should any one American have the right to full health care over any other one at any time?

When Hillary Clinton, no more than a First Lady at the time, attempted to make changes in America's Health Care System 15 years ago, she was immediately condemned by the same people in Congress with full Health Care plans courtesy of the American public. After all, they receive big donations from those that do not want the government telling them what to do--Health Care companies, HMOs, AMA, Pharmaceutical Companies and the rest of the Medical Establishment that like our current backwards system just the way it is.

With 42 million Americans with no health care, it is going to be a major issue in the 2008 Presidential elections.

It is just a matter of time that those who support Health Care for all Americans are again labeled supporters of "Socialized Medicine"--in other words, they are a bunch of Commies.

Those of you with employers who still pay for Health benefits (which are becoming fewer and fewer), or get these great policies for working for city, county, state and federal agencies, just try and imagine your situation without any kind of Health coverage.

You might just feel for a moment what it is like for those 42 million Americans who deserve the same right to see a doctor, get medications and treatment that you take for granted.

For a country that claims to have so many Christians that have been instructed by their God to care for the sick--you are not demonstrating a corresponding philosophy.

IT'S NOT YOUR FATHER'S COMMUNIST CHINA

I had the most wonderful opportunity and experience over the last month that has kept me very busy. Teaching a group of students from all over Europe and in the greatest surprise, an entire group from the People's Republic of China.
When first told that students from China would be included, I said, "You mean Taiwan, don't you?" The answer was "No--from Communist China."
Immediately, thoughts of special agents disguised as tour guides accompanying the students and watching over their shoulders as they access normally censored sections of the Internet (anything criticizing their government or talking about Falun Gong) ran through my head. However, I learned a great deal from them and about them.

In their fashionable westernized clothing, which they now wear in their daily lives (there was just something funny at first about seeing them in Sean John attire), we were able to talk openly about their lives, customs and the way they view Americans.

They all had Ipod clones and were familiar with current American music pop stars.

They spoke extraordinary English (had been studying it since early grammar school) and could communicate extremely well with me, even understanding most American sarcasm and cliches.

They love Americans and had never been taught anything negative or critical about us or our government.

Mao is past history. He's a few lines in their new textbooks and rarely mentioned otherwise. The new and improved Communist China concentrates on a modern, industrialized society. They of course don't use the word Capitalism, even though they are now making the majority of products for the United States.

All the modern conveniences, toys and consumer goods (except cars) are available to them.
However, they cannot buy the products shipped to America. Different versions are available on the Chinese market. They didn't realize just how much of the goods "Made In China" were available over here until they saw it for themselves. A teacher had once told them about it in school.

I asked them if they were going to see the new "Simpsons" movie while here, and then I said, "Oh, wait...it's probably available on DVD on streetcorners in Beijing...and you probably saw it already," to which they politely laughed.

What do they do in their spare time when not in school in China?
They go to shopping malls, play video games, play a great deal of sports, study piano and violin, eat junk food and sound like typical Americans.

There was one main difference that really surprised them.
The car culture of young Americans.
They ride bicycles or take public transportation everywhere.
Young Chinese simply do not have cars and very few adults do either.
They go on dates on bicycle and the bus.
The idea of the freedom of a personal car was the strangest culture difference to them.

They were a great group of students.
Their government made them come home a week earlier than everybody else--
it was the first time they were allowed to come to the U.S. and they were told
when to return.
Now I have some friends to visit in China.

The Fifth of July

Now that it is the Fifth of July, and everybody is back to normal from their holiday high,
we can take a prudent look at what you just celebrated and how it exists in reality.
The Fourth of July celebrates two things:
1. The declared independence of the colonies from the tyranny and oppression of the King of England
2. The appreciation of the freedoms Americans experience under the Bill of Rights portion of the Constitution

Yet, two of those rights, Freedom of Speech and Freedom of Assembly have been modified beyond their original intent. They are no longer pure and guaranteed with the current administration having infringed upon them beyond any recognition.

FREE SPEECH ZONES. You won't find anything about them in the Bill of Rights. They appeared from time to time in the era which introduced designer blue jeans and have increased in usage since then, having reached a new height during the George W. Bush administration. A Free Speech Zone is an area set aside for those with dissenting opinions who wish to protest a speech or event of which they don't agree. Free Speech Zones have been set up as far as a mile away and sometimes are cages blocked off with fences, concrete or other temporary walls and borders. They are designed to be out of view and audio range of others including the media (who have in many cases been ordered not to go near the zone) and therefore nullify the intended protest.

They have been used by states, cities, towns and municipalities and abused by the Secret Service. Specific cases involve a man trying to hold up a sign at a George W. Bush parade which read "The Bush family must surely love the poor, they made so many of us," being told to go to the Free Speech Zone, refusing and being arrested. This is just one of many similar cases. The Secret Service has been known to tell local law enforcement to scan audiences looking for signs that oppose Bush policies and escort them to the Free Speech Zone.

Free Speech Zones have been used across the political spectrum with the recent arrest of a group of Christians daring to protest at a Gay Rights Festival in a "non-Free Speech Zone."
(sounds crazy--doesn't it?) This took place in St. Petersburg--not in Russia, where you might expect something like this, but in Florida.

Free Speech Zones are an egregious infringement of your rights of Freedom of Speech and Freedom of Assembly. What will you do to take action between now and the next Fourth of July?

Bush's Supreme Court Takes Away More Of Your Rights

The U.S. Supreme Court today took away more of your rights to Freedom Of Speech. In a 5-4 ruling, the court ruled against a high school student who held up a nonsensical sign during a parade across the street from his high school.
He was suspended for allegedly advocating drug use and took the case all the way to the Supreme Court. The new Bush-packed Supreme Court ruled in favor of his suspension (which took place in 2002) basically saying that schools may prohibit student expression that can be interpreted as advocating drug use. Previous federal courts had ruled in favor of the student. Oddly enough, a number of traditionally conservative organizations also supported the student as they are afraid that this will lead to schools censoring Christian expression by students.

What does "Bong Hits 4 Jesus" mean? I can understand it if the sign said "Jesus for Bong Hits." It did not say that. If the sign had said "Beer Cans 4 Jesus" would that have equally applied as advocating drug use? If the sign had said "Make Love Not War," a popular 60's-era phrase, would that have qualified for advocating sexual activity, something students must not engage in until age 18 (which we all know is never violated).

The sign was nonsensical. It is just another hypocritical attempt to control freedom of speech in this country. The selection of John Roberts for the Supreme Court by George Bush guaranteed this. And it will happen again until a Democratic President has the chance to replace some of these dinosaurs.

The only positive aspect of this case is that it was a 5-4 ruling. Four of these justices know how to read the Bill of Rights as they were intended.

WHAT WOULD JESUS EDITORIALIZE?

The Pope joins George

Bush in a game of Battleship.

George Bush Jr. joined God's number one spokesman, the Pope, for a pleasant and private chat this week. Much of the conversation must have centered on America's role in the war in Iraq.

In formulating his stands, the Pope is limited to his own common sense, inspiration/faith and the words left by Jesus.

Jesus' statements about war and peace are very scarce in the Gospels. It is in Matthew we learn something about his thoughts on these. "Blessed are the peacemakers: for they shall be called the children of God." As hundreds of Iraqi citizens die every week and scores of American soldiers are slain, the simple question can be asked. Is George Bush a "peacemaker" or a "warmonger?" Have his actions, plans and directives guided the intentions of a "peacemaker?" Or do they reveal the reckless and malevolent manuevers of a "warmonger?"

SO WHAT WOULD YOU DO MR. LIBERAL???, some of you right-winged Neocons are thinking.

The war in Iraq has passed the amount of time Americans were involved in WWII. U.S. presence has escalated a civil war in that country. And the only ones who can really understand the mindset of Arabs in that country are other Arabs.

The U.S. needs to call upon all of its "friends" in Saudi Arabia, Jordan, Egypt, Kuwait and others to intervene in either a diplomatic/political manner or as a "Muslim-only" peace-keeping force in Iraq.

That's what Jesus would advise.

Jerry's Unintentional Humor

In this revealing photo, Tinky Winky attempts to indoctrinate a fellow Teletubby into the homosexual lifestyle.

A Tribute to Jerry Falwell

Jerry Falwell provided many of us with some of the greatest unintentional humor. Some of his statements were so outrageous that they became a self-parody.

Let me remind you of some of them:

*Jerry decided that the purple Teletubby was gay. "He is purple, the gay-pride color-- and his antenna is shaped like a triangle, the gay-pride symbol." Stores nationwide reported selling out of the now outed "gay" Teletubby.

*Jerry informed his congregation that the anti-Christ was living now on earth and was getting ready to unveil his nefarious plan. He did provide two strong clues to the identity of Jesus' arch-enemy--"The anti-Christ is male and is a Jew." Although this could include everybody from Henry Kissinger to Jerry Seinfeld, it at least gives us enough information of whom to be suspicious of.

*Jerry loves you but you're going to Hell anyway. "While I am a strong supporter of the State of Israel and dearly love the Jewish people and believe them to be the chosen people of God, I continue to stand on the foundational biblical principle that all people ... Baptists, Methodists, Pentecostals, Jews, Muslims, etc. must believe in the Lord Jesus Christ in order to enter heaven." Jerry gets you all warm and fuzzy and then really lets you down.

*Jerry put 9-11 in the proper perspective for all Americans. He figured out exactly why it happened. "I really believe that the pagans and the abortionist and the feminists and the gays and the lesbians who are actively trying to make that an alternative lifestyle, the ACLU, People For the American Way, all of them who have tried to secularize America. I point the finger in their face and say 'you helped this happen.' " 9-11 was apparently God's revenge against Americans for their sinful behavior and refusal to allow America to be turned into a theocracy.

Thanks for the laughs Jerry.

A New Challenge For Teachers Nationwide

In this photo captured in a typical schoolroom in 1964, Bobby, impatient to get home to listen to his rock 'n' roll 45's, brings a record player to class to get his instant music fix. The teacher doesn't seem to mind since Bobby was courteous enough to put on giant headphones.

A new challenge is confronting teachers all over America.
Students have determined that they have the absolute right to listen to music in school, anytime and anywhere. Facilitated by the hand-held device, the IPOD, students now have hundreds of songs available at the touch of a tiny screen as it travels through miniature ear buds offering full fidelity and musical reproduction. What started out to be a lunch/recess thing has evolved into students demanding that they be able to listen at any time--especially in the classroom. Through lectures, videos, discussions, tests--just ask any teacher and they will tell you the responses when they daily catch students immersed in their own little music world:
"It makes me learn better," "It helps me do better on tests," "What do you care? I'm not bothering you!" Those teachers who have banned the devices find they must deal with

continual student attempts at disguising the players.
1. Teachers are now banning students wearing hoods as the earbud devices were easily concealed under them.
2. Girls and Guys with long hair covering their ears are harder to detect, but the white wires (an IPOD exclusive) going down their neck are a giveaway. Many have actually gone to black wires which are harder to identify.

This brings us to the newest method which actually worked for a while. The standard "bored student" pose seemed very innocent and typical. However, when asking students to remove their hand from their head, reveals, that the bored hand is camouflaging one earpiece.

I personally like to hear stereo music with both channels that it was intended for and not just one-half of the information.

That is why I am so glad that teachers in the 1960's were just so understanding and allowed us to drag in our record players, set them up and listen to our music through humongous headphones while class was in session.

ZOTZ! A Tribute to Tom Poston

ZOTZ! A Tribute to Tom Poston

You most likely remember him as a regular on "The Bob Newhart Show." Or if you really go back, he was part of the comedy support team on Steve Allen's shows. He was a character actor who appeared in numerous movies and TV shows.

He always played a really nice guy. I met him once. He WAS a very nice guy--on and off screen.

We will all miss his wonderful sense of comedic timing.

My most precious memory of him is in a film he starred in 1962 called "ZOTZ!"

Unless you are an early-mid baby boomer, you probably never heard of it. It's never been shown on TV. It was on home video only in the early 80's. It's not on DVD. This usually indicates some kind of rights dispute.

The movie is about a professor who discovers an ancient coin. There were some combinations--and I don't remember them exactly. If he was just holding it and said ZOTZ!, people would suddenly be in slow motion. If he just pointed his finger when holding it, they would be in pain. And if he pointed his finger and said ZOTZ!--they were done for.

The movie came out with a huge advertising campaign that they had replica ZOTZ! coins to give away. One of the greatest disappointments in my life was when I arrived at the legendary Granada Theater on Sheridan Road in Chicago and found out that they were all gone.

Nonetheless, playing ZOTZ! in the Kilmer Elementary School yard was even better than the video games that didn't exist yet. I remember all of the boys loved to play ZOTZ! But the girls refused. They thought it was stupid.

Anybody else out there ever play ZOTZ! ???

Che is More Popular Than Sanjaya

In one day last week, I saw three young folks in different places wearing a t-shirt with the famous portrait of Che Guevera.

It made me wonder, do they have the slightest idea who they are celebrating in public?

They probably know that he was a Latin-American revolutionary and his spirit lives on as a symbol for all those who are downtrodden and oppressed.

But do they know this?

*Che personally ordered the execution of hundreds of political dissidents--folks that didn't agree with his style of liberation.

*If Fidel Castro had allowed Che to personally handle the Cuban Missile Crisis, Che would have ordered nuclear missile strikes on every major U.S. city within reach, regardless of the consequences of global annihilation.

*The thing that Che would not have allowed in his new Communist paradises he was trying to create--the wearing of t-shirts with anybody's picture on it. Citizens would have been required to wear some uniform drab and plain piece of clothing to demonstrate their new equality.

If Che was alive today, would he be suing for royalties on everything that bears his picture? Most likely.

How Come This Massacre Never Received Much Press?

http://www.zonaeuropa.com/20040521_1.htm

MAY 2004–U.S. Troops in Iraq Massacre 40 Iraq people at a Wedding Party in the Desert filled with Men, Women and Children. Included are the Bride and Groom and their Families.

The U.S. Government responds that it was not a wedding party–but a festive meeting of terrorists. “Even Bad People Have Celebrations” is the U.S. Government’s only comment and they promise a full and complete investigation.

That never happens. I have been waiting. You haven’t because you either never heard about this or you just shrugged it off. After all. they are just a bunch of Iraqis.

Follow-ups by major organizations like the Associated Press and the New York Times reveal that this was a Wedding complete with pictures of those once celebrating (including the band) who were now all dead.

Americans–your ethnocentricity is reprehensible.

http://www.zonaeuropa.com/20040521_1.htm

What if Beaver Cleaver said “F*** off Eddie?”

I recently told a class of seniors that from kindergarten through eighth grade, I NEVER ONCE heard the “F” word said by any student. They all laughed hysterically and said that they didn’t believe me. I reiterated that from 1958-1966, I never heard it at any time and as a matter of fact, had a student said it, a dozen other kids would have run to the principal’s office and proudly squealed. The student would have wound up in some juvenile facility.

The discussion eventually turned to the TV show, “Leave it to Beaver.” Just about everybody had seen it a few times. Most students believed that it is some highly exaggerated nostalgic sitcom. I told them that it was an “accurate reflection of America” during the late 1950’s and early 1960’s. More laughter and disbelief. “People couldn’t have acted like that!” “Yes they did. I was there. It shows the social mannerisms of Americans during this time.”

I now get to hear the “F” word at school on the average every 2-3 minutes. In class, outside of class, at lunch, it doesn’t really matter.

And it extends outside of school. Whether you are at the shopping mall, a sporting event or walking down the streets of America, the chances are, you are going to hear it in one of its many forms–as a noun, verb, adjective, adverb or many distinctive possibilities.
This has become especially apparent since the release of the motion picture “Meet the Fockers.” If you are a baby boomer, did you ever dream that you would see a giant ad for the film from a major American motion picture company plastered on the side of a city bus?

The movie from 2004 gave the go-ahead for all Americans to include the word in their daily vocabulary and be able to experience a naughty giggle at the same time.
Apparently nobody cares anymore. They have become immune.

I have a Discipline Sheet to fill-out with various infractions.
One of them is for “Excessive Profanity.” There are no boxes to check for “Profanity.”

You all remember Eddie Haskell, Wally’s friend. He was always making fun of “the Beaver.” And in Beaver’s most courageous moment, he might respond, “Get lost Eddie.” What if Beaver Cleaver said “F*** off Eddie!” These days most Americans would probably cheer him on.

George W.C. Fields Bush

“A year ago my approval rating was in the 30s, my nominee for the Supreme Court had just withdrawn, and my vice-president had shot someone,” “Ah,”those were the good ol’ days” chimed our glorious President at a dinner last night that had the audience in stitches.

The wit of George W. Bush has me wondering about my favorite all-time stand-up comedy Presidents.

There was Richard Nixon and his hilarious retort to Henry Kissinger when the Senate was about to start formal impeachment proceedings against him. “Henry, can you start praying to that Jewish God of yours? I need any help I can get!”
Who can forget that classic line on December 7, 1941 uttered by Franklin Roosevelt? “I thought you told me that they can only make transistor radios!”
Even Honest Abe was known for his awesome one-liners. “The trouble with the South is the people sound like they all have banjos shoved down their throats.”

However, no President can compete with the hilarity that percolates from our fearless leader, George W. Bush.

As he entertained Washington’s finest journalists and broadcasters, parents around America received a knock on the door–followed by a solemn message that their children had died in a far away land. A place to which George W. is fully committed to–at least until a few weeks before the November elections in 2008.
Why aren’t more of you protesting this abomination of an administration?