EMAILS

Decided to collect some of the viral emails I've been receiving (and the replies I've returned). Is it any wonder people are riled! I keep thinking about Mark Twain's observation: "The old saw says, 'Let a sleeping dog lie.' Still, when there is much at stake, it is better to get a newspaper to do it." Today he could say "electronics."

I would like to see FRONTLINE do a story on these emails -- who starts them? how cynical are they? (do they think they are justified in what they say or that the end justifies the means or that everyone will understand that they're just making a joke....)? what's the process that keeps them circulating for years? how effective are they? do people really believe them? etc

My reply appears first, in italics; the viral email is last, in bold. There are five.

Read and weep

and write!!!

as the Washington State Supreme Court said: to follow the First Amendment, what we have to do is not to forbid falsehoods but to "depend... on even more speech to bring forth truth”! (See "Election 08: Clark on McCain" below, November '08)

Write on!



~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

EMAILS - # 5 "Wasn't anybody listening???"

To: Friend 2
From:
Date: March 30, 2010
Subject: Re: FW: Wasn't anybody listening???

Yep -- but they would not have heard what the email says.

What's disturbing is that there's so much circulating around the net that's not so. There are plenty of actual issues we need to debate, without people somewhere starting these fabrications....

1) Part comes from a satire:
JOHN SEMMENS: Semi-News -- A Satirical Look at Recent News
Oct. 27, 2007
http://web.archive.org/web/20080801043405/http://azconservative.org/Semmens118.htm



2) The Washington Post didn't know of a Dale Lindsborg:
October 12, 2008
http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/discussion/2008/10/12/DI2008101201556.html
Anonymous: I have received an e-mail ostensibly sent from Dale Lindsborg of the Washington Post. It refers to an interview with Obama on this past Sunday's "Meet The Press" where he talks about why he doesn't believe in saluting the flag. Is this really a person who works for The Post?

Anne E. Kornblut: We just checked the database here, and I can't find a Dale Lindsborg. I'm going to make sure people here know about it. Can you send us the e-mail?



3) From PolitiFact:
http://www.politifact.com/truth-o-meter/statements/2008/oct/25/chain-email/the-coke-theme-song-and-more-ridiculous-allegation/
"It would be difficult to tally the many, many ways this e-mail is false, but we'll start with the obvious ones. First, Obama was not on Meet the Press on Sept. 7. The guests were Joe Biden and New York Times columnist Thomas Friedman. Nor was Gen. Bill Ginn on the show.
"Ginn is indeed a retired Air Force general and not a fan of Obama. In an interview with PolitiFact, Ginn cited Obama's association with Weather Underground co-founder William Ayers, the group ACORN and his former pastor, the Rev. Jeremiah Wright, as just a few examples why he does not want Obama to be president.
"But Ginn said the Meet the Press account was fabricated and that he had never spoken to Obama. Ginn said his name might have gotten attached to the e-mail because of a message he sent to a friend expressing concern about Obama not putting his hand over his heart during the national anthem.
"Neither is Dale Lindsborg a reporter at the Washington Post . Anne Kornblut, a real political reporter from the Post , said in an online chat that she checked the paper's directory and couldn't find anyone by that name.
"And, Obama's quote is fabricated. It seems to be a mashup from at least two sources. The anthem part comes from  a satirical column published on the Web in October 2007 by Arizona writer John Semmens that produced the original bogus e-mail that we checked last spring.
"We couldn't determine the origin of the part about redesigning the American flag 'to better offer our enemies hope and love,' but a search of the Project Vote Smart database of Obama's speeches indicates he has not uttered the phrase. He also has not made the remark about his wife disrespecting the flag, according to the Vote Smart database.
"This chain e-mail, like most that we've checked, is false. In fact, it's so ridiculously, maliciously false, that it sets the Truth-O-Meter ablaze...."




4) From Snopes:
http://www.snopes.com/politics/obama/stance.asp

National Anthem Stance

Claim: E-mail reproduces Barack Obama's statement about the U.S. national anthem.

Status:   False.
<
<
Variations: Later versions of this item report Senator Obama's purported comment as something taken from a transcript of the 7 September 2008 broadcast of Meet the Press.

Origins:
<
<
The following (also fabricated) statement about flag burning purportedly made by Senator Obama was appended to later versions of the e-mail:
<
<
Last updated: 22 October 2008

Urban Legends Reference Pages © 1995-2010 by Barbara and David P. Mikkelson.
This material may not be reproduced without permission.
snopes and the snopes.com logo are registered service marks of snopes.com.

Sources:
Semmens, John. "Semi-News — A Satirical Look at Recent News."
  The Arizona Conservative. 27 October 2007.






5) WHAT SENATOR OBAMA DID SAY ON MEET THE PRESS IN MAY 2008:
http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/24445166/ns/meet_the_press/
May 4, 2008

RUSSERT: ...if you're the nominee...

SEN. OBAMA: Right.

MR. RUSSERT: ...and they talk about the flag pin and about your wife Michelle's comment about being proud for the first time in her adult life as an American, and talk about Reverend Wright saying, "God da mn America," and talk about standing at the national anthem at the steak fry and not putting your hand over your heart, all those things, challenging your patriotism...

SEN. OBAMA: Mm-hmm.

MR. RUSSERT: ...many superdelegates, undecided ones, have said to me, "Is he tough enough?"

SEN. OBAMA: Mm-hmm.

MR. RUSSERT: "How is he going to respond? How is he going to defend or define his patriotism?"

SEN. OBAMA: Right.

MR. RUSSERT: What's the answer?

SEN. OBAMA: "Well, first of all, you know, I have never challenged other people's patriotism. I haven't challenged Hillary Clinton's or John McCain's, and I will not stand by and allow somebody else to challenge mine. The fact that I'm running for president right now is an indication of how much I love this country, because it has given everything to me. This country has been a great source of good. I've lived overseas and seen the difference between America and what it stands for and what other countries oftentimes stand for and where they fall short. I've, I've said before, my story's not possible in any other country on earth. You know, when I think about this country, I think about my grandfather fighting in World War II in Patton's army; I think about my grandmother staying home--staying back and, and working on a bomber assembly line while she was raising a kid in--as, as they're coming out of a depression. And, and so this country is the--it defines, for me, what's possible for not just me, but for so many people who see this as a beacon of good, including my father, who originally came here seeking an education in this country. So I love this country. It is what I have been fighting for, a--that America lives up to its values and its ideals. And that's what I think the people of Indiana and that's what the people of North Carolina are looking for right now. What, what--they love this country as well, but what they've believe is that the values that have built this country, the belief in--that hard work is rewarded, that you can raise a family and have health care, and buy a home and retire with dignity and respect, that those things feel like they're slipping away. And what this campaign's about, what I think this moment is about in America is whether or not we are going to fight for those ideals that make this country great, and, and if we miss that opportunity, then I think we will be doing a disservice to future generations. So I'm happy to have a debate, an argument with the Republican Party or any of my opponents about what this country means, what makes it great. And what makes it great, ultimately, is its people and how the American people are able to live out their American dream. And right now, all too often Washington is failing in helping them to live out that American dream, and I--that's what I think this election's going to be about in November."
....

"Now, what I do believe is that it is important for the American people to understand my story and how it connects to theirs. I think it's important for people to understand not only that I was raised by a single mom and, and my grandparents, and the values of hard work and decency and honesty that they've passed on to me, that those are values that are rooted in the heartland of America and small-town America. My, my wife, Michelle, you mentioned earlier, you know, when I think about her father, who worked as a shift worker for the city of Chicago, despite having MS, got up every single day and went to work, was able to raise a family and send his two kids to college and, and support a family of four on a single salary. I think about your father and the fact that, that your dad, Tim, looked nothing like Michelle's dad, but they lived that same American dream and, and they had those same core values. And those are the values of millions of people all across the country. And my job in this campaign is to communicate the fact that not only are those values at the core of what this country's about, not only are those values what make me patriotic, but those are the values that have to be fought for because that American dream is slipping away.

"Those same individuals who are like Michelle's dad, who are like my grandparents, who are like your dad, they can't make it now doing the same things that they used to do. No matter how hard they work, they're falling behind. No matter how hard they work, they're at risk of losing their home or losing their pension. That's what this campaign's about, and that's what we've been fighting for, and, and that's why, ultimately, I'm confident not only are we going to win this nomination, but I also believe that we're going to win this general election because that is what the American people understand. Unless we are able to create the kinds of opportunities for ordinary Americans that have been slipping away over the last seven years, with wages and incomes actually going down even during an economic expansion, then, you know, we're not going to pass on the kind of America to our children that we want to."


6) Meet the Press transcripts:

List of all 2008 transcripts & guests:
http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/28452155/ns/meet_the_press/

Sept 7, 2008 transcript: Biden & Friedman
http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/26590488/ns/meet_the_press/

Dec. 7, 2008 transcript: Obama
http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/28097635/ns/meet_the_press/

Obama: July 27, 2008 transcript: Obama
http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/25872804/ns/meet_the_press/



(just reading the email's grammar & syntax tells a bunch)

Lotsa love!



******************************************************
From:
To:
Subject: Fw: Wasn't anybody listening???
Date: Thu, 25 Mar 2010 13:41:37 -0400

Well, I guess it is all true. The Washington Post is at least not radically left wing.
B E.


From:
Sent: Sunday, March 21, 2010 7:43 PM
To:
Subject: FW: Wasn't anybody listening???


-----Forwarded Message-----
From:

Read below, you will not belive it.


Subject: Wasn't anybody listening???



THIS IS ABSOLUTELY INCREDIBLE...............

The  following is a narrative taken from Sunday Morning's
televised "Meet The  Press'. The author is employed by none other than the Washington Post!!

From Sunday's 07 Sept. 2008 11:48:04 EST, Televised "Meet the Press" THE THEN Senator Obama was asked about his stance on the American Flag.

General Bill Ginn' USAF (ret.) asked Obama to explain WHY he doesn't follow protocol when the National Anthem is played.

The General also stated to Obama that according to the United States Code, Title 36, Chapter 10, Sec. 171...



During rendition of the national anthem, when the flag is  displayed, all present (except those in uniform) are expected to stand at attention facing the flag with the right hand over the heart. Or, at the very least, "Stand and  Face It".

Senator Obama replied:

"As I've said about the flag pin, I don't want to be  perceived as taking sides".  "There are a lot of people in the  world to whom the American flag is a symbol of oppression."

"The anthem itself conveys a war-like message. You know, the bombs bursting in air and all that sort of thing."

ARE YOU READY FOR THIS???

Obama said:  "The National Anthem should be 'swapped' for something less parochial and less bellicose. I like the song 'I'd Like To Teach the World To  Sing'. If that were our anthem, then, I might salute it. In my opinion, we should consider reinventing our National Anthem as well as 'redesign' our Flag to better offer our enemies hope and love. It's myintention, if elected, to disarm America to the level of  acceptance to our Middle East Brethren. If we, as a Nation of waring people, conduct ourselves as the nations of Islam where peace prevails - - - perhaps a state or period of mutual accord could exist between our governments ."

When I become President, I will seek a pact or
agreement to end hostilities between those who have been at war or in a state of enmity, and a freedom from disquieting oppressive thoughts. We as a Nation have placed upon the nations of Islam an unfair injustice which is WHY my Wife disrespects the Flag and she and I have attended several flag burning ceremonies in the past".

"Of course now, I have found myself about to become the  President of the United States and I have put my hatred aside. I will  use my power to bring CHANGE to this Nation, and offer the people a new path. My wife and I look forward to becoming our Country's First black Family. Indeed, CHANGE is about to overwhelm the United States of America "

WHAAAAAAAT the H_ _ _ is that!!!

Yes, you read it right.

I, for one, am speechless!!!

Dale Lindsborg,

Washington  Post


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~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

EMAILS - # 4 "news that wasn't on TV"

To: Friend 1
From: 
Date: March 30, 2010
Subject: Re: Fwd: Fw: news that wasn't on TV


I am thankful that both presidents visited the wounded and the grieving at Fort Hood.

I am disappointed that people invent stories. The writer asks for a sign that President Obama respects our country, but I think the question is, what does it mean that we have so many emails that don't respect the facts? There's plenty to debate without fabrications mixing in!

I believe we can be very proud of both presidents at that time.


Mrs. Randy Royer, wife of the soldier in the photograph, told Snopes:
http://www.snopes.com/photos/military/forthood.asp
"On Fri the 6th, Pres Bush and his wife made a visit to us, no frills, no press. It was awesome. They are down-home, normal people. They were able to visit with us and the other soldiers in the ICU. The pic was taken on my cell phone and I had sent it to a few people and somehow it got around, but we don't know who or why the email was started. We really appreciated Pres Bush and Laura taking the time to visit the soldiers, especially with all they had gone through. We also had many other visitors in the following days, including Pres Obama and Michelle. They were just as friendly and concerned and were able to speak to us after the Memorial Ceremony."



The Wall Street Journal reported:
http://online.wsj.com/article/SB125785674871941029.html
NOVEMBER 10, 2009, 6:20 P.M. ET
Thousands Honor Fort Hood Fallen

By ELIZABETH WILLIAMSON and BEN CASSELMAN
FORT HOOD, TX -- As President Obama saluted the 13 men and women gunned down here Thursday by a fellow soldier, sadness and patriotism mixed with anger and unease among thousands of people who crowded the memorial service Tuesday afternoon.
Soldiers in camouflage, family members and local residents joined army and government officials in mourning the victims of one of the worst incidents of soldier-on-soldier violence in U.S. history.
"Their memory will be honored in the places they lived and by the people they touched," Mr. Obama said. "Their life's work is our security, and the freedom that we too often take for granted."
The president spoke in the blazing sun on windswept parade ground, backed by a stark white stone headquarters building festooned with an American flag, snipers on its rooftop. On the stage, portraits of the dead stood before 13 pairs of boots, and helmets hung atop a rifle.
....
Many of those attending the service said they were grateful that the dead were being honored and their friends and family comforted.
"It means a lot that the president actually came," said PFC Marquita Walker, 30, there with her 13-year-old daughter, Diamond. "It's a really terrible tragedy."
But others were upset that nobody in the Army detected the major's problems before the shooting.
"I'm pretty angry that it was allowed to go on as long as it did," said Michelle Rutledge, who was there with her 13-year-old daughter Carrera. "He should have been watched more closely."
....
The memorial at sprawling Fort Hood—the nation's largest Army base, with its second-largest soldier population—was a traditional military tribute that included hymns, a roll call with the names of the dead and a firing of three rifle volleys.
Camouflage-clad soldiers snapped to a salute as the national anthem played, and many murmured along when Gen. George Casey uttered the words of the warrior ethos: "I will always place the mission first. I will never accept defeat."
....
Mr. Obama and First Lady Michelle Obama arrived at about noon and began their day on the base with a private visit with the families of those killed in the attack. After the memorial they visited with those wounded in the mass shooting, more than a dozen of whom are still hospitalized.
Standing apart from the crowd after the service, Sgt. Lavell Lathan said the ceremony had been "one way to have a closing so that we can start healing." The president, he added, "made me feel like their sacrifice wasn't in vain."
Write to Elizabeth Williamson at elizabeth.williamson@wsj.com and Ben Casselman at ben.casselman@wsj.com
Copyright 2009 Dow Jones & Company, Inc. All Rights Reserved



FactCheck spoke to a Bush spokesman and reported:
http://www.factcheck.org/2010/02/bush-at-ft-hood/
"The e-mail contains a grain of truth. President George W. Bush did visit the wounded at Ft. Hood only a day after the tragic Nov. 5 shooting spree on the base, as was reported publicly at the time by a number of news outlets. But since then, we’ve had a steady stream of queries about this chain e-mail’s description of the visit, in which the author embellishes the facts considerably. Army officials would not comment, so we spoke to Bush spokesman David Sherzer, who was happy to set the record straight.
"Sherzer described the visit as being "as spontaneous as a visit from a former president can be" — it was planned that same day. But Sherzer told us that Bush’s visit was coordinated with base officials, that he did not refuse escort, and that he did not overstay his welcome. As for the part about President Obama telling him to leave, Sherzer said that’s simply not true.
"Bush’s home in Crawford is a one-hour drive from Ft. Hood, and he did go to the base after being contacted by Ft. Hood’s commanding general, Lt. Gen. Robert Cone. "It is accurate to say he did drop everything to go," Sherzer said, but he added that "we went about it in the appropriate way, which was to coordinate with the base personnel and Secret Service." And Bush stayed for about two hours, not the six the e-mail claims.
"Sherzer told us that Lt. Gen. Cone had requested that Bush and Mrs. Bush visit with the wounded and their families, after Bush sent his condolences. The former president was "honored to be able to do that," Sherzer said, but he coordinated with the base to make sure he was coming at an appropriate time. He was not stopped at the gate, as described in the e-mail, because he was expected and because he had a Secret Service escort.
"Sherzer emphasized that Bush is very respectful of the Secret Service’s role, which includes escorting him safely from place to place. He does not simply barrel into the car without alerting them, as the e-mail describes. The e-mail also says that Bush told soldiers to "s hut up" when they offered him escort. In fact, Sherzer told us, Ft. Hood officials — who knew about his visit in advance — greeted Bush when he arrived and escorted him throughout the visit. "He would never do anything like what’s described in that e-mail," said Sherzer, of the claims that Bush rebuffed protection.
"Finally, Bush was not sent away by Obama. "The part about being asked to leave by the White House is completely false," Sherzer told us. Bush spent about two hours at the base and left, Sherzer said, because he did not want to take resources or time away from those who were helping the victims and families.
"As for the claim that Obama did not visit the hospital, the White House sent us press reports showing that Obama visited both ambulatory and non-ambulatory victims, and the families of the dead on Nov. 10, though much of the visit was not public. The e-mail is correct that this was several days after Bush’s visit on Nov. 6. But it’s not the case that Obama never went to the hospital."
–Jess Henig
Sources
Sherzer, David. Interview with FactCheck.org. 11 Feb 2010.



The Times' report:
http://www.nytimes.com/2009/11/11/us/11hood.html?_r=1&pagewanted=print
November 11, 2009
President, at Service, Hails Fort Hood’s Fallen
By PETER BAKER and CLIFFORD KRAUSS
FORT HOOD, Tex. — President Obama took on the role of national eulogist on Tuesday for the first time since assuming office as he led the country in mourning 13 active and retired soldiers gunned down not on a foreign battlefield but here on their home post by one of their own.
Standing in front of 13 sets of boots, rifles, helmets and photographs, Mr. Obama vowed that the memory of those slain in a rampage here last week would “endure through the life of our nation.” One by one, he listed the names of those killed and described their hopes and dreams and the families they left behind.
“It may be hard to comprehend the twisted logic that led to this tragedy,” the president told thousands of soldiers and relatives gathered here at the nation’s largest Army post. “But this much we do know: No faith justifies these murderous and craven acts. No just and loving God looks upon them with favor. For what he has done, we know that the killer will be met with justice, in this world and the next.”
Although Mr. Obama had spoken at the funeral of Senator Edward M. Kennedy and made a post-midnight visit to Dover Air Force Base to salute the returning dead, this was the first time he had served as the nation’s comforter at a time of major tragedy. These are moments that can define a president, as when Bill Clinton eulogized the Oklahoma City bombing victims or George W. Bush gave voice to the anguish of a nation after the terrorist attacks of Sept. 11, 2001.
.....
At American Legion Post 573 along Veterans Memorial Highway, a dozen veterans sat solemnly as Mr. Obama spoke. Kevin L. Bradford, 72, a Vietnam-era veteran who dislikes Mr. Obama so much that he said he would fly a flag at his house at half-staff until the president leaves office, praised his remarks. “I think it was a good speech, a very good speech,” Mr. Bradford said. “I know it was from the heart.”
But David Cronk, 25, a disabled Iraq veteran, was not so sure. “It was well-written,” Mr. Cronk said, “but I think he needs to do a little more from the heart. I can tell when someone is reading from a tablet and when someone is speaking from the heart.”
The service was on a bright, warm afternoon five days after the attacks at a processing center for deploying troops, where witnesses said Major Hasan opened fire after saying “Allahu akbar,” Arabic for “God is great.” Mr. Obama, accompanied by the first lady and military leaders, met with survivors of the attack and loved ones of those killed.
Security was tight amid the playing of taps, the singing of “Amazing Grace,” the roll call of the missing and the ceremonial volley of gunfire. More than 100 massive shipping containers were stacked to form a wall around part of the field, while sharpshooters were positioned on the roof of the III Corps building behind the lectern.
....
Many soldiers and relatives expressed gratitude that the president had come to help them grieve, with many breaking into tears.
“It’s great that the president takes the time to come when there is so much on his plate,” said First Lt. Steven Aoyagi, 24, a helicopter pilot. “It’s good to know this won’t get swept under the carpet, because a lot of soldiers don’t feel safe right now. They need to have confidence in their leaders.”
Staff Sgt. Lorena Brand, 40, tears welling in her eyes, said the visit would focus national attention on the troops and the continuing terrorism threat. “Those of us who serve, it seems we’re always being overlooked,” Sergeant Brand said. “So his coming, it puts the military and soldiers first, instead of feeling we’re always at the bottom of the list after the firefighters and police.”
As Mr. Obama spoke, soldiers wiped away tears. “It really doesn’t matter what he says,” said Specialist Beau Taylor, who was injured by roadside bombs in Iraq and watched the ceremony on crutches. “It’s his presence here that really matters.”
James C. McKinley Jr. and Ray Rivera contributed reporting.

Copyright 2009 The New York Times Company


Lotsa love!


******************************************************
----- Forwarded Message -----

From:
To:
Sent: Mon, 29 Mar 2010 14:31:49 -0400 (EDT)
Subject: Fw: news that wasn't on TV

Subject: Fwd: news that wasn't on TV


The doctor  had his TV on in his office when  the news of the  military base shootings at  Ft. Hood , TX came on.  The husband of one of his employees was stationed  there.


He called her into his office and as he  told her what had happened, she got a text message  from her husband saying, "I am okay."  Her  cell phone rang right after she  read the message.  It was an ER nurse,” I’m the one who just sent you  a text, not your  husband. I thought it would be  comforting but I was mistaken in doing so. I am  sorry  to tell you this, but your husband has been shot 4 times and he is in surgery."

The  soldier's wife left Southern Clinic in Dothan , AL and drove all  night to Ft. Hood.  When  she arrived, she found out her husband was out of surgery and would be  OK.
She rushed  to his room and found that he already had visitors  there to comfort  him.
He was  just waking up and found his wife and the visitors  by his side. The nurse took  this  picture. 

What? No news  crews and cameras? This is how people with  class respond and pay respect to those in uniform. 
I sent my  cousin in Fayetteville , N.C. (Retired from  Special Forces) that picture of Geo. W. visiting  the wounded at    Ft. Hood .  I got this
  reply:

What is even better is the  fact George W. Bush heard about Fort  Hood, got in  his car without any escort,  apparently they did  not have time to react, and drove to Fort Hood.   He was stopped at the gate and the guard  could not believe who he had just stopped.  Bush only asks for directions to the  hospital then drove on.  The gate  guard  called that "The President is on Fort Hood and  driving to the  hospital.."

The  base  went bananas looking for Obama.  When they  found it was Bush, they  immediately offered  escort.  Bush  simply told them to shut  up and let him visit the wounded and the  dependents of the  dead.   
 
He stayed  at Fort Hood for over six hours, and was finally  asked to leave by a message from the White  House.

Obama  flew  in days later and held a "photo" session in a gym, and did not even go to the  hospital.

All this I  picked up from two soldiers here who happened to  be at Fort Hood when it happened.   
This   Bush/Obama/Ft. Hood story is something that should  be sent to every voter in the  US .  Those who  wanted "change" certainly got  it. 

 Someone, PLEASE, show  me anything that will tell us that Obama has ANY respect for the country he leads! I'm  looking for just a little sign of respect!


                 The New Busy is not the old busy. Search, chat and e-mail from

                 your inbox. ....Get started.

Nearly all men can stand adversity, but if you want to test a man's character, give him power. - Abraham Lincoln

Attachment converted: Macintosh HD:image00111.jpg (JPEG/«IC») (0035CDE1)



~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

EMAILS - # 3 "This is chilling"

To: Friend 1
From:
Date: March 5, 2010
Subject: Fwd: Re: Fw: This is chilling

Hi Guys!

I didn't pay much attention last September, but today when I checked out the news reports of the Muslim prayer gathering, it was heartwarming (rather than chilling!), I thought.

It was interesting to read in FactCheck how the organizer of the prayer event was "New Jersey lawyer (and former Bucknell University star tailback) ...[Hassen Abdellah, who said] it’s to show 'we love America.' He was inspired by the president’s inaugural address and Cairo speech."
http://www.factcheck.org/2009/09/muslim-prayer-day-sept-25/

According to the Washington Post, "  'Most of the time, when Muslims go to Washington, D.C., they go there to protest some type of event,' Abdellah said. 'This is not a protest. Never has the Islamic community prayed on Capitol Hill for the soul of America. We're Americans. We need to change the face of Islam so people don't feel every Muslim believes America is "the great Satan," because we love America.' "
http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2009/09/04/AR2009090403877.html

It's very sad, though -- and maybe this is the chilling part to me -- that it looks like that message didn't get through -- since the email originator says "Especially knowing that the Muslim religion believes that if Christians cannot be converted they should be annihilated"

After the president's Cairo speech, there were a few local letters to the editor in the Roxboro Courier -- get your delete key ready, because if I don't forget, I'm going to attach them here!

About the National Day of Prayer proclamation last May.... I haven't read this anyplace, but I have a hunch that one reason President Obama didn't continue President Bush's services in the White House is that as a prof of constitutional law, he'd be sensitive to questions of "establishment of religion."

What do you guys think?

Happy Friday and lotsa love!


~~~~~~~~

http://reflectionsbelovedcommunity.blogspot.com/2009/07/this-letter-appeared-in-roxboro-courier.html

July 15, 2009
Enemy appeasing speech
From Jane Clayton (not our Jane!!!!!)
To the editor:

July 29, 2009
“Liberty and Justice for All”
From me
To the Editor:

August 1, 2009
Comment on Cairo speech
From Vickie Shull
To the Editor:



******************************************************
Date: Fri, 5 Mar 2010 17:29:05 -0500
From: One of my fellow recipients who "replied to all" simply to the point!
Subject: Re: Fw: This is chilling
To:
<
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http://www.snopes.com/politics/obama/photos/prayerday.asp



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----- Original Message -----
From:
To:
Cc:
Sent: Friday, March 05, 2010 9:35 AM
Subject: Fwd: Fw: This is chilling

----- Forwarded Message -----

From:
To: Undisclosed-Recipient:;
Sent: Fri, 5 Mar 2010 08:52:33 -0500 (EST)
Subject: Fw: This is chilling

In 1952 President Truman established one day a year as a National Day of Prayer.

In 1988, President Reagan designated the first Thursday in May of each year as the National Day of Prayer.

In June 2007, (then)  Presidential candidate Barack Obama declared that the USA was no  longer a Christian nation.

In 2009 President Obama, canceled the 21st annual National Day of Prayer ceremony at the  White House under the ruse of "not wanting to offend anyone"
 
(By the way, I was offended!)

On September 25, 2009 from 4 am until 7 pm, a National Day of Prayer for the Muslim religion was held on Capitol Hill, beside the White House. There were over 50,000 Muslims that day in DC.

I guess it doesn't matter if "Christians" are offended by this event -we obviously don't count as "anyone" anymore.

The direction this country is headed should strike fear in the heart of every Christian. Especially knowing that the Muslim religion believes that if Christians cannot be converted they should be annihilated

I hope that this information will stir your spirit.




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EMAILS - # 2 "Electronic Processing for Congress??"

To: Friend 1
From:
Date: January 12, 2010
Subject: Re: Fwd: Fw: Electronic Processing for Congress??

Sorry to be so late catching up on email! Having our computer in an unheated basement hasn't been the most conducive to communication recently!

Anyhow, here's FactCheck on the electronic records alarm, FWIW ....

This whole article is at this address:
http://www.factcheck.org/2009/12/electronic-medical-records-for-congress/


Q: Is the Social Security Administration paying $24 million to set up new electronic medical records for members of Congress?
A: False. The money is going to speed processing of applications for disability benefits. Furthermore, the money is coming from the stimulus bill and not from “withholding cost of living increases."
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----- Forwarded Message -----

From:
To:
Sent: Tue, 5 Jan 2010 10:44:26 -0500 (EST)
Subject: Fw: Electronic Processing for Congress??

Subject: Fwd: Electronic Processing for Congress??


According  to The Trustees for the Social Security Administration,

" THERE WILL NOT BE A COST OF LIVING INCREASE FOR THE NEXT  TWO  YEARS IN SOCIAL SECURITY BENEFITS.
          
ADDITIONALLY THEY WILL RAISE YOUR CO-PAY FOR YOUR RX MEDICARE BENEFITS " !

They, the Congress (BOTH "REPUBLICAN AND DEMOCRATS TOGETHER") say no increase is warranted because of the losses in gross national product and other cute things..

NOW SPORTS FANS THIS  IS THE ONE THAT WILL FLIP YOU OUT!!

THE SOCIAL SECURITY ADMINISTRATION IS FUNDING TWENTY FOUR MILLION DOLLARS-- LET ME REPEAT THAT AMOUNT...
    
SO YOU UNDERSTAND IT $ 24,000,000.00 DOLLARS FOR NEW ELECTRONIC  MEDICAL RECORDS PROCESSING FOR OUR CONGRESSMEN AND SENATORS !!

THEY ARE OBTAINING THESE FUNDS And I QUOTE DIRECTLY FROM THE SOCIAL SECURITY  WEBSITE...

"THIS MONEY WILL BE COMING FROM THE SAVINGS TO BE GENERATED FROM WITHHOLDING "COST OF LIVING INCREASES FOR 2010 & 2011 In  SOCIAL SECURITY BENEFITS FOR THE ELDERLY
AND  A $2.00 INCREASE ON ALL MEDICARE RX BENEFIT CO-PAY"


Please pass this to ALL your friends and have them

"PROTEST TO THE IDIOTS WE ELECTED TO CONGRESS"
   
Who by the way, have just voted themselves

             ANOTHER 3% SALARY INCREASE!!!

We must put a stop to this outright thievery!
          
It is THE CONGRESS AND THE SENATE, BOTH REPUBLICAN AND DEMOCRATS, WE CAN'T FIRE THEM, BUT WE SURE CAN NOT RE-ELECT THEM,     And WE CAN IMPEACH THEM    Or DEMAND RECALL ELECTIONS  !!!


          
HOW ABOUT WE ALL GET TOGETHER AND DUMP THESE CLOWNS.

Just watch.
          
They will spend this money and find the software doesn't work,
         
Dump the whole thing and go back to the old steam driven system Just  like they did with air traffic control several years ago..
          
Don't worry though, they've got health care all worked out.
So here is what we CAN do....

All I ask is that you consider the suggestion here.

The entire Congress of the United States is corrupt.
          
And I mean both Houses and I mean both major parties.
I realize that a few Members of each House are  trustworthy,
          
But, As a group they are absolutely the most corrupt bunch

To ever disgrace our Nation.
In November of 2010        
The entire House of Representatives will stand for re-election;

All 435 of them.

One third of the Senate,
          
A  total of 33 of them, will also stand for re-election.

Vote every incumbent out.
And I mean every one of them.
         
No matter their Party affiliation.
         
Let's start all over in the House of Representatives with   435 people
        
Who have absolutely no experience in running that  body,
        
With no political favors owed to anyone but their own constituents.
          
Let's make them understand that  they work for us...
They are answerable to us
       
And they simply have to run that body with some common sense.
Two years later, in 2012,  
Vote the next third of the incumbents in the Senate out..
We can do the same thing in 2014 and,
         
By that time we will have put all new people in that body as well.

We, the People,      
Have  got to take this Country back and we HAVE to do it peacefully.
That's what the Framers of our  Constitution envisioned.

I am also suggesting term limits on the  NEW BUNCH -
     
8 YEARS FOR REPRESENTATIVES

             AND 12 YEARS OF SENATORS.
          
NO EXCEPTIONS.
    
THE LONGER THEY STAY IN OFFICE THE MORE POWER  THEY GET 
AND THEY LOVE IT AND WILL DO ANYTHING TO GET RE-ELECTED.

WE HAVE TERM LIMITED THE PRESIDENT -
         
NOW LET'S TERM  LIMIT THE LEGISLATORS.

Please, If you love this Country,

Send  this (as I have done) to absolutely everyone
       
Whose email address appears in your address book..
This thing can permeate this Country in no time.

Let's make  it happen.**

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and rich email service. Get it now.

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EMAILS - # 1 "US House & Senate"

To: Friend 1
From: 
Date: January 10, 2010
Subject: Re: US House & Senate

Hi Guys!

FactCheck takes a dim view of this one.... FWIW ! (If FactCheck checks out, you gotta wonder what's going on in an originator's mind....)

http://www.factcheck.org/2010/01/retribution-fabrication/
<
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"We take no position on whether any House or Senate member deserves reelection or defeat, but the fact is they are all being falsely accused by whoever wrote this.

"• No raise: House and Senate members have not voted to give themselves raises. The $4,700 and $5,300 figures are made up out of whole cloth. The true figure is $0. As we reported last year, Congress voted to freeze its own pay for 2010. Any pay raise for 2011 will take place automatically under existing law, unless Congress votes to freeze its pay again before then.

"• No vote: Congress did not vote to deny a Social Security cost-of-living increase this year, or next. The lack of a COLA results from the fact that the Consumer Price Index for Urban Wage Earners and Clerical Workers (CPI-W) declined (mostly as a result of volatile oil prices), as we explained in detail last September. Congress does not vote on annual Social Security benefit levels. They have been set by a formula set in law since 1975.

"• No $285.40 premium increase: The message claims that "your Medicaid premiums will go up $285.60" over two years, but that’s nonsense. Medicaid is a state-federal program for low-income persons, and premiums (where they exist) are set by states, not Congress.The author confuses this program with Medicare, the program that covers persons over age 65. And the fact is, most Medicare premiums haven’t gone up this year at all. For 73 percent of seniors, the basic Medicare Part B premium remains at $96.40 per month.And for all but a few of the rest, the increase will be $14.10 per month. Over two years that comes to $338.40, not $285.40. For details, see the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services announcement of Oct. 16.

"The message makes reference to a “3% COLA” that would amount to “$660/yr.” That may be a reference to a bill introduced in September by Republican Rep. Walter B. Jones of North Carolina to grant an "emergency" 3 percent Social Security increase for 2010. That bill did not attract any cosponsors or come to a vote in the Ways and Means Committee, however. And Jones estimated that the average increase would amount to $35 per month, which doesn’t come close to $660 over a full year. That number, we conclude, is pulled from thin air, just like the claim that Congress voted itself a $10,000 pay raise spread over two years."
– Brooks Jackson

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----- Forwarded Message -----

From:
To:
Sent: Thu, 31 Dec 2009 10:11:52 -0500 (EST)
Subject: Fw:


Take a look at this and just remember elections in Nov. 2010.

  
   U.S. House & Senate have voted themselves $4,700 and $5,300 raises.
1.    They voted to not give you a S.S. Cost of living raise in 2010 and 2011.
2.    Your Medicare premiums will go up $285.60 for the 2-years and
You will not get the 3% COLA: $660/yr. Your total 2-yr loss and cost is
-$1,600 or -$3,200 for husband and wife.
3.    Over 2-yrs they each get $10,000
4.    Do you feel SCREWED?
5.    Will they have your cost of drugs - doctor fees - local taxes - food, etc., increase?
NO WAY . They have a raise and better benefits. Why care about you? You never did anything about it in the past. You obviously are too stupid or don't care.
6.    Do you really think that Nancy, Harry, Chris, Charlie, Barnie, et al, care about you? SEND THE MESSAGE-- You're FIRED. IN 2010 YOU WILL HAVE A CHANCE TO GET RID OF THE SITTING CONGRESS:
   Up to 1/3 OF THE SENATE, AND 100% OF THE HOUSE.

MAKE SURE YOU'RE STILL MAD IN NOVEMBER 2010 AND REMIND THEIR REPLACEMENTS NOT TO SCREW UP.
It is ok to forward this to your sphere of influence if you are finally tired of the abuse.
Maybe it's time for the........
Amendment 28

"Congress shall make no law that applies to the citizens of the United
States that does not apply equally to the Senators or Representatives,
and Congress shall make no law that applies to the Senators or
Representatives that does not apply equally to the citizens of the
United States."
  
Let's get this passed around, folks - these people in Washington have brought this upon themselves!!! It's time for retribution. Let's take back America.

If you don't forward this to all your friends you're just part of the problem of national apathy.

Hotmail: Powerful Free email with security by Microsoft. Get it now.

----- End forwarded message -----

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