Academic Achievement

Old Habits Die Hard: The Legacy of Chernobyl

Almost thirty years later, the impact of the Chernobyl disaster is still felt. Children are still being born with cancer and other birth defects. Survivors are still succumbing to radiation-induced cancers. Cities and towns are still abandoned. The site itself and the surrounding areas are still “hot” with radiation. Some estimates are that the area will continue to be unsafe for human habitation for millennia. Some of the radioactive isotopes have a half-life of 24,000 years (Ludwig, 2011). It is difficult to fathom how 14 seconds can have an impact for eons. Human achievement can turn to human destruction in a moment. The people of Ukraine and Belarus relive that moment daily. Their ailments remind them. Their children’s and grandchildren’s ailments remind them. The Soviet system was one of the most destructive regimes in human history. Stalin’s reign of terror alone killed between 20 and 60 million people, depending on the source consulted. One of his infamous quotes was “that he would willingly sacrifice 49 per cent if he could ‘save the 51 per cent, that is, save the revolution” (Overy, 2004). This attitude prevailed even after his death and the formal repudiation of him and his policies by his successor Nikita Khrushchev. The Soviets blindly pursued production at all costs, to the detriment of the Soviet people. Quantity was valued far above quality. Production targets had to be met regardless of the impact on the land, environment or the people themselves. All of this was in pursuit of a flawed ideology. This attitude even permeated the Soviet nuclear sector. The Cold War fostered competition between the USSR and the USA. This competition and the ruthless nature of internal Soviet politics fostered a climate of corruption and obfuscation. This very climate directly contributed to the Chernobyl disaster. The RBMK reactor design was known to have 27 different flaws, but was produced anyway. Despite the known defects, this type of reactor was installed at Chernobyl and other sites (Ludwig, 2011). Sadly, despite the collapse of the Soviet Union, Russia still has not improved much beyond its past. Its infrastructure is old and decrepit. Most of it is Soviet era vintage. Russia’s government is still corrupt and standards and regulations are not on par with the rest of Europe. There is still mistrust of the government by the people and according to some sources, the Putin government shares similarities with the Soviet regimes of yore – particularly when it comes to personal freedom, freedom of the press, and glasnost (government transparency). Parts of Russia are still some of the most contaminated places on Earth. Although the Russian government is trying to clean up after its past, there is still more to be done. They are still reluctant to seek international help unless they are desperate for assistance. For example, when the submarine Kursk sank they initially refused to let British and American rescue vessels attempt to rescue the trapped sailors. After much delay divers from Britain and Norway were able to assist in the rescue efforts. However, rescue turned to recovery because by this point it was too late for the Kursk sailors (Barany, 2004) (Dodds, 2003). They need to swallow their national pride and put their people ahead of their egos. References Barany, Z. (2004, Summer). The tragedy of the Kursk: Crisis management in Putin's Russia. Government & Opposition, 39(3), 476-503. Dodds, K. (2003). Cold War geopolitics. In J. Agnew, K. Mitchell, & G. Toal (Eds.), A companion to political geography (pp. 204-218). Malden, Massachusetts: Blackwell Publishing Ltd. Ludwig, G. (2011). The long shadow of Chernobyl. Retrieved May 20, 2013, from TheLongShadowOfChernobyl.com: http://www.longshadowofchernobyl.com/ Overy, R. (2004). The Dictators. New York: W. W. Norton.

SDC10083

My 10 year old daughter made this. Please subscribe to her YouTube Channel. Thanks!!!

The Dumbing Down of English

I hate the Internet because any moron who can't spell can publish something. Three factors have contributed to the dumbing down of the English language: public schools making literacy (the ability to understand English at the most basic level) the goal rather than mastery of the English language, the obsession with catering to the lowest common denominator, and the Information Age. I am obsessed with proper spelling and grammar. Since first grade I've been an excellent speller. After I had spelled the word "said" incorrectly on a spelling test I was bound and determined to become a proficient speller. In 3rd grade it came down to me and another girl. We tied -- the teacher could not stump either of us with 6th grade words. She just gave up and declared us both winners. In 5th grade I ended up skipping the 5th grade spelling level and acing the 6th grade one. I'm an excellent speller in French too, which is not my native language (English is).

An Open Letter To Misanthropic Environmentalists

This comment was deemed spam by the Nazis at MNN The Mother Nature Network. I sent them an e-mail and I am waiting for a reply. Some of the comments on that site were common sense and Conservative, so I may not have been blocked for my opinion. But, we shall see...

Dear Enviro-Nazi:

So is your ultimate solution for every human to commit suicide??? Do reports of people being killed give you a warm and fuzzy feeling??? Is your mantra "Save the animals/planet. Kill the humans"??? You and other enviro-nazis like you would rather see annihilation of the human race than to see one animal or plant even slightly distressed. You preach annihilation until your own life was threatened. Then you'd change your tune. If the world is so over populated, which population should be eliminated first??? Maybe it ought to be all of the Enviro-Nazis and Moonbats, but the real answer is all human life is sacred so no human should have to go first. Environmentalism should be about stewardship, not self-righteousness or destruction of the human race. We need to take care of what God has given us. Humans are not the only creatures that impact the environment. Beavers kill trees and flood areas with their dams. Gypsy moth caterpillars kill trees by eating their leaves. Animal waste is just as toxic as human waste. Unchecked animal populations can wreak havoc on an eco-system. The "Green" movement is self-defeating. How much more money and energy does it take to produce one "green" item versus a conventional one??? "Green" items tend to cost much more and are much less effective. Gaia worship is not going to get you into Heaven. Only through Christ can man get to Heaven.

Love,

God Fearing Conservative

Boehner Watch: BHO Bi-Partisanship???

I have been following John Boehner since October and he has said some interesting things lately. He says that Conservatives/Republicans should not wish for BHO’s failure because BHO needs to succeed in order for America to succeed. In a way, he is right. Let me just say this: I DO NOT WANT BHO’S LIBERAL IDEAS TO WORK!!!! But, if Republicans can somehow come up with a better plan and BHO likes it, BHO can compel Congress (especially the House) to consider it by forcing the Dems’ hand. No one about to seek re-election is going to want to be seen as undermining the President. The Republicans can play politics by going over Bella’s head. BHO is already willing to meet with Congressional Republicans. If he continues this trend throughout his Presidency, and the GOP continues to produce better plans and ideas, the GOP caucus may have its say yet. If Boehner & Co. play their cards right, they can use BHO’s bipartisanship and willingness to be all things to all people agains the Dems. However, I do realise that Bella Pelosi has imposed rules that will make it extremely difficult for Republicans to make their voices heard, but where there is a will, there is a way. And BHO may be doing all of this bi-partisan posturing for show. I am optimistic, but skeptical. I shall keep my eyes and ears open. Also, we have to realise that there will be some things that BHO does that we may like. They may be few and far between, but they will be there. We can’t suffer BHO Derangement Syndrome like the libs did with Bush. As fun as it may sound, two wrongs still DO NOT make a right. My whole point is this: Like John Boehner has said,”If it is good for the country, then I am for it.”

Conservative Prophesies

As I have been saying for some time now, this is one of the few times that I am not right and that my predictions and those of my fellow Conservatives do not come to fruition.

Conservative Prophesies That Did NOT Come True:

BHO DID NOT place his hand on a Koran when taking the Oath of Office.

BHO DID say “So help me God” at the end of his oath.

BHO IS NOT going to redecorate the entire White House. He CAN’T. There are several laws and organisations that forbid it. He is only allowed to redecorate the living quarters (read: NON-PUBLIC areas) and most of the budget is dedicated to his daughters’ bedrooms.

Not all Democrats are lock-step with BHO. The majority of his opposition is coming from his own party. Moonbats are never satisfied.

BHO IS more bi-partisan than he ever was as a legislator. Although, someone needs to inform him that it is CONGRESS who makes the laws and so far, Bella Pelosi has ZERO interest in including the Republicans in her reindeer games.

NOT all world leaders are hailing the ascension of the Moonbat Messiah. Ahmedinejad and Chavez still hate America and protesters in Gaza held a sign that had bullet holes through a picture of BHO’s head.

Conservative Prophesies that DID Come True:

BHO IS the most pro-death President EVER. He signed two anti-life Executive Orders as soon as he became President. One authorises taxpayer dollars to fund overseas groups that perform abortions (Reagan’s Mexico City Doctrine). The other one rescinds GWB’s restrictions on embryonic stem cell research.

BHO also closed GITMO. John McCain would have done the same thing, except McCain would have solved the problem of housing the terrorists BEFORE promising to immediately close it.

If I have left any out. please let me know.

Random Notes On BHO's "Presidency"

Is it just me or is BHO doing the Presidential equivalent of voting “Present”??? He is still trying to tread lightly and appease every group he promised the moon to. Has he yet realised that when you promise everyone something opposite of what you promised everyone else, someone’s promises are going to be broken and unfulfilled??? He’s still trying to fulfil EVERY promise he ever made. Why is it that Moonbats only hold your feet to the fire if you are a Republican or if you have something they want??? At least if the economy stagnates Conservatives will have a greater opportunity to win back the Congress and the White House.

BHO’s “Pork-Free” Pork Fest

If BHO's “stimulus” package is not pork-laden, then I do not know what is. Government DOES NOT create wealth, BUSINESS creates wealth. The only projects that are worthwhile are the road construction (bridges, highways, etc.) and electric grid (minus the alternative-energy stuff) improvements and upgrades. Everything else left me scratching my head. I smell political pay-offs… BHO is so hell-bent on passing his “Pork-Free” Pork Fest otherwise known as his “economic stimulus” plan that he is hustling various Democrat Senators by making personal phone calls to them. Apparently his silver tongue is working, well almost. There is one Dem Senator (I didn’t catch her name) who CNN interviewed and she said that despite BHO’s telephone plea, she’s not buying his plan. She still plans to vote against it. If only more Dems were as smart as this lady. BHO’s idea of stimulating the economy through expanding government bureaucracy and creating government jobs is nothing more than a Liberal redefinition of “recycling”. The government pays your paycheck and takes out the requisite taxes. No new money is created, it is just recycled back to the Treasury. Only private industry creates new money. When are these Dimwits going to figure this out?? Larry Kudlow had a great interview with my Conservative hero, Rep. John Boehner (R-OH). Rep. Boehner has formed a working group with House Minority Whip Eric Cantor to develop a true free-market alternative to BHO’s Pork-Fest. As far as the rest of TARP, he plans to vote against it, but the House vote is merely symbolic. Hey, even if it’s symbolic, the vote will send a message to each Reps’ constituents. Vote for the people who spend your money wisely and vote out the people who squander it. Just a question: When will BHO quit campaigning and start governing, or at least prepare to govern. Someone send a memo to this guy that the election is OVER!!!

Larry Kudlow’s interview with Rep. Boehner can be found here.

MSM Bias Toward Hamas And Against Israel

What Moonbats in the MSM fail to realise is that it was HAMAS that broke its Cease-Fire with Israel and started firing its rockets, NOT the other way around. These hypocrites support "Palestine's" right to defend itself, but if Israel dares to defend itself, the Israelis are called "terrorists". What a CROCK!!! "Palestine" is not a real country and it is "run" by a TERROR GROUP!!! They're the real terrorists. Hamas hides in residential areas and whines and cries when Israeli airstrikes kill innocent civilians. Don't hide in civilian areas, and civilians won't get hurt. These Hamas cowards call themselves an army and instead of fighting on a battlefield, they hide in appartement buildings in cities among civilians. I have no sympathy for terrorists.

Thug Life

Why Children Are Increasingly Engaging In Risky Behaviours

Yes. I think this is a big problem. Young people today are encouraged by their peers and by the media (tv, movies, music, the internet) to engage in risky behaviours (sex, porn, drinking, etc.) and discouraged from taking responsibility for their own actions. Society needs to stop encouraging scapegoating and passing the buck and encourage everyone, but especially children, to accept responsibility for their own actions. Parents, teachers, schools, churches, the media, and the government all bear some responsibility for this situation. Parents need to teach their children right from wrong, schools and teachers need to stop indoctrinating our children into believing that there is no such thing as right and wrong and resume teaching citizenship, character building, and ethics. Churches need to help parents train their children according to the Bible. They also need to preach morality, ethics, and accountability. The media needs to stop promoting smut as "art" -- this does not just apply to porn, but to tv shows, movies, music lyrics and videos, and the Internet. They need to start promoting purity. The government needs to gain the courage to determine right and wrong when it comes to sexuality and risky behaviour in general. We need to return to the days of the Comstock Laws. The government needs to rid itself of its "theyr're going to do it anyway, so there's no point in trying to prevent it" mentality -- the same goes for the rest of society. Society as a whole has a responsibility to keep our children innocent. Children can be informed, but do so in an age and developmentally appropriate manner.

My Hiatus And My Take On Current Events

I have been laid up with a broken ankle, but I have not been out of the loop. I have been following all of the latest events and below is my take:

On BHO’s Cabinet appointments:

• Hillary Clinton: As immoral and corrupt as President and Senator Clinton are, I can sleep well at night knowing that a true American is the head of the State Department. Say what you want about the Clintons, but at the end of the day, they will do anything to secure personal power, but they will NOT do so at the expense of the Country (at least on purpose). Also, Hillary will likely stand up to BHO if his policy ideas will hurt the country. She is not afraid to speak her mind or pursue her own agenda, for better or worse.
• Retired General Shinseki: I have no problem with his appointment to Secretary of Veterans Affairs. He is a wounded warrior himself and therefore has personal experience to help him improve the VA and the lives of our Wounded Warriors.
• Tom Daschle: I really have no opinion, but from what I have seen and heard, both sides of the aisle are happy and comfortable with his appointment. He himself is also very happy with the appointment because that is his “dream post”. My one reservation is that since he is a Democrat, he may want to socialize our health care system. In the near term, that is not feasible due to the current economic situation; but, in the medium and long term, there is a higher risk of Mr. Daschle endorsing or pushing such a program. We shall wait and see.

On the Auto Industry:

• The bottom line is that the Auto Industry is broken and in trouble and if it fails, it may be catastrophic for the workers and the satellite industries and their workers. Either way, the economy will recover, but we shall not let the Auto Industry fail. Granted, this has been coming for a long time, and the Auto Industry should have acted a LONG time ago. I don’t think that Government is the answer, nor have I turned Democrat, but SOMEONE needs to hold these companies’ feet to the fire. Unfortunately, the government seems to be the only group that is willing to do so. This is what I think should be done:
o Give the auto makers a “bridge loan” so that there is still an American Auto Industry to save, but have many strings attached such as:
 Mandatory restructuring
 Limits on executive compensation
 Slash labour costs by cutting or shrinking unsustainable pension and benefit programs and reducing wages to the level of the foreign auto makers who have factories here in America. Unions must be willing to make these concessions.
 Mandatory modernization
 Implement streamlining programs such as AIRSPEED and/or Lean Six Sigma to cut manufacturing costs
 Some kind of oversight and accountability. Unfortunately, that may mean Government oversight unless the BIG 3 are willing to police themselves effectively. If oversight is provided by the Government, it must only be for the purpose of making sure that changes are actually being made and that those changes are effective. The Government MUST NOT take over decision making for the BIG 3.

On the situation in Washington State:

• To the atheists: If Christmas and other displays of religious devotion offend you and give you feelings that we are “pushing our religious beliefs down your throat,” I hate to break it to you but your offensive denouncement of our beliefs makes us Christians feel the same way. You are NOT tolerant and NOT open minded. You are hypocrites. You are guilty of the same crimes of which you accuse Christians. If you truly possessed the reason that you claim to possess, then you would see that, but you do not. This is the last straw. Christians will NOT sit idly by and let the Godless minority silence the Christian majority.
• We must contact Governor Gregoire and tell her that she needs to move that awful display to another part of the State House, away from any Christmas displays. Go to billoreilly.com to get her contact info.

Some Comfort

Thanks to Tod K for the inspiration to write this.

God is still at the helm, and as far as I can tell so far, He has been mitigating the damage. Even though we are going through economic turmoil, I can see the silver lining — as long as times are tough, BHO & Co. will be kept at bay and will be prevented from wreaking havoc on our economy by hiking taxes and implementing crippling environmental fees and regulations. Granted, other chaos may ensue from “bailouts”, but I really think that if the American people (and Republicans) keep voicing their disdain for bailouts, the Dems will keep themselves in-check. The Dems are campaigning for 2010 by their actions now. They know that the American people are watching (hence the closed-door meetings). They can’t do anything too radical without risking their prospects in 2010. Also, BHO has to play it cool until 2012. If he becomes too radical, he will pay for it next election. God is still in control!!!

Why I Don't Vote Democrat

Contrary to the assertions of Obamunists, I vote Republican because the GOP best represents my values, NOT because I am a racist. The same goes for all Republicans. The Democrat party goes against everything that I hold dear. I value the sanctity of life and the sanctity of traditional, heterosexual marriage. I believe that life begins at conception and that holding this belief is not above my paygrade. I value honesty and integrity, characteristics that Barack Hussein Obama does not possess. I believe in small government and that the government is of the people, by the people, and for the people. I believe that the Constitution should be upheld by our judges as written, and not interpreted based on feelings. I believe in concrete policies, not just abstract ideas. I believe in necessary regulation, not over regulation. I believe in low taxes and the value of a dollar. I believe that capitalism is what makes our economy great and that the trickle-down theory works both ways. I believe that Socialism is a failed system that is inherently flawed and inherently evil. I believe that "economic equality" is just a euphemism for Socialism. I believe in equality of opportunity, not equality of outcome. Above all, I believe in Dr. Martin Luther King's dream that one should be judged not by the colour of their skin, but by the content of their character. If that makes me a racist, then I shall wear that label with pride and as a badge of honour.

John McCain, Patriot

Choices

The Unfairness Doctrine

How To Mitigate The Damage

Now that Barack Hussein Obama has been elected as the new President we as Christians can mitigate the damage by warring in the Spirit.

1. Do NOT accept defeat. This is America's wake-up call, not necessarily a judgement, but a warning that if the Church does not effectively rise up against the demonic realm and reclaim its authority, the worst is yet to come.

2. Continue to follow politics. Come against the power of the government by praying against their evil plans (i.e. The fairness Doctrine, Freedom of Choice Act, repeal of the Defense of Marriage Act, crippling taxes, etc.). Take dominion over your locality.

3. Hone your spiritual weapons. Read and study the Bible, especially on the subject of spiritual warfare and discernment of the spiritual realm. For a good primer and continued support in your "training," go to Prophet.tv and study the BTWs and watch Pastor Don's weekly live broadcast. Pray and ask God to show you how to become a spiritual warrior.

4. Pray. Pray for protection over our land. Pray that the light of truth will be shone on BHO and will reveal his true intentions and his true nature. Pray that all those with eyes to see and ears to hear will receive the truth -- and act on it.

5. Do NOT forget all of the information learned about BHO during his campaign and this past election cycle. It will come in handy during the next election cycle in 2012. Download and archive as many videos, websites, blogs, etc. Do not throw or give away any of your anti-Obama books. They will be just as relevant come 2012.

6. Petition the government for a full investigation into BHO's background and eligibility to hold the office of President. If enough people contact their Senators, maybe they will act. Even if this happens after Inauguration Day, there is still the possibility of impeachment. After all, BHO did seek the nomination and win the election under false pretenses. Go to RallyCongress.com and sign the petition. The petitions will be delivered to your Representative and Senators. For maximum impact, you can also have them hand delivered for a small fee. Hand delivered letters are more difficult to ignore than e-mails, and if they see your letter twice, they may be more inclined to act.

RIP United States of America 1776-2008

We have just witnessed the death of what was once the greatest country in the world. It is sad and scary that so many people were deceived by the flowery rhetoric and lack of substance of Barack Hussein Obama. What was once a Constitutional Republic will now become a Socialist Hellhole. This may be the wake-up call that America needs. Thus far, we have only seen Socialism and Communism from afar. We never believed that it would actually reach our shores. We had leaders who were stridently against Socialism and who worked very hard to prevent it on a massive scale. We had an electorate who rejected Socialism with their votes. Then the 1960s happened. Once JFK was assassinated, it left this country vulnerable to further Socialist infiltration, as that was happening since Wilson's presidency. May God save this country.