IRS Visits Business For Four Cents

The article can be read HERE, but let me give you the synopsis:

The IRS sent two agents to a car wash demanding payment for delinquent taxes.  The amount of taxes owed came to a whopping four cents (which magically grew to $202.35 in taxes/penalties over a three year period).

I'm sorry, gubbment, but a phone call wouldn't have sufficed?  It's obvious that they are in desperate need to collect every penny (literally) to cover the proposed health care plan.

CDA2

Woman's Quest To Weigh 1,000 lbs

A New Jersey woman currently tops the scales over 600 pounds... and says that is not enough.  Donna Simpson says her goal is to reach a nice, full-figured, round number of 1,000 pounds.  For the twisted, she displays videos of herself eating at this link (For the record, I have no problem watching car crashes, explosions, etc. but could not bring myself to viewing that link).  She uses a motor scooter to travel because walking more than 20 feet is tiresome.  She downs 12,000 calories per day (the average American eats about 2,000).

Research has proven that 87% of health care costs are attributed to lifestyle choices, rather than "natural selection."  As an American, it is her right to eat as much as she wants.  It is her choice to gorge herself to the point that where she ends and the sofa begins is anyone's guess.  But with that said, it is also her responsibility to pay for the health care needs she is undoubtedly going to have.

It's a shame that, according to Rasmussen, as many as 43% of Americans are for a health care plan that will continue to allow Ms Simpson eat, drink, and be merry... all on taxpayer dollars.

CDA2

Fla. Woman Dies While Fasting

A 55-year-old woman in central Florida died last month while locked away in her room fasting and praying.  The fast was to last one week but ultimately, it was a month before her family discovered her body.  Her husband, a Pentecostal preacher, wanted to respect her privacy and assumed her lengthy stay was her doing "what God called her to do."

For the record, the cause of death has NOT yet been determined.  Assuming her death came as a result of this practice, can one assume that "fasting" is a dangerous activity?  According to the American Cancer Society, fasting longer than five days can have serious negative impacts on the body.  In fact, it recommends that any fast more than week should be closely monitored and take place at a spa, resort, or a similar facility.  I know many churches that routinely practice monthlong fasts.  I don't know anyone that has passed away or have had serious negative effects to their bodies (that we know of).  Does that make it "safe?"

CDA2

Stop Living On Our Sidewalks

The estimated number of homeless people in Jacksonville, Florida tops 1500.  During the winter months, hundreds of them line up outside of the city's only homeless shelter with hopes of getting one of the 300 beds.  The others slowly place cardboard or quilts on the ground, and lay down, side by side, on the cold sidewalk just outside the City Rescue Mission.

Lately, police have cracked down on city ordinance regarding trash and obstruction and are forcing the homeless to "remove their trash" (which is in essence, their personal belongings).  Many of the homeless sleep on the sidewalk outside of the mission because it is a "safe zone."  Many of them have been mugged, beaten, and robbed when they stray away from the group.  It's no coincidence that the actions taken by the officers came just days after Mayor Peyton vowed to move the homeless from Laura Street as a part of the city's downtown renovation pledge.

Thoughtlessness by the city leaders?  Or a last resort to a growing problem?  If they really think it's the latter, how is bothering the less fortunate on a daily basis a solution?

CDA2

Dept of Education To Buy 27 Shotguns

It takes a lot to have me at a loss of words.  You can thank the Department of Education for finding a way to shut me up.

I can see the need for them though:

Kindergartener: Mrs Smith, I don't feel like taking a nap right now.

Mrs Smith pumps the handle on her Remington 12 guage.

Kindergartner: "Zzzzzzzz."

On the bright side, this would certainly be an improvement over the "No Child Left Behind" program.

CDA2

Jihad Jane Looks Like My Neighbors

What do you do when your enemy looks like you, talks like you, and can infiltrate virtually any business or organization withing your borders?

Meet "Jihad Jane."  You read that correctly.  This isn't a soccer mom.  This isn't a white supremacist.  She's a recent convert to the radical side of Islam who is every "let's just strip search every Muslim looking..." person's worst nightmare.  She's being charged by federal authorities in a plot to kill on foreign soil, to provide material support to terrorists, and identity theft just to name a few.  She is accused of using her MySpace account to recruit others to her cause of helping "desperate" Muslim people and she even stated that she wanted to become a martyr.

So much for only checking people that "look Middle-Eastern" at the airports.


CDA2

Lil Wayne is a CHUMP

Normally, I would write in support for someone who is going to jail for gun charge.  After all, states/cities writing their own laws to deny the basic right to self defense is laughable.  But in this instance, I simply want to "LOL" at the defendant.  Dwayne Michael Carter (aka, Lil Wayne) was sentenced to one year in jail yesterday.  Instead of serving his time at Rikers like a "man", Dwayne has requested that he serve his time in protective custody and be given special medical attention due to his massive dental problems.  Let's start with the first.  Dwayne, you say you're a member of the Bloods gang.  You "soowoop" (A "Blood" call sign) on your raps.  You're tatted up as if you've really done dirt and put in hard time.  In one of your songs, you say:

"Hold On To Your Surf Board When The Gat Wave.
Homie, You Can Be Deleted Like Backspace.
I'm Coming Threw Like A Fax Page.
I'm Just A Gorilla In A Unlatched Cage"

(Please note, these are his lyrics and his spelling... not mine).

Dwayne, you spoke this into existence.  Finally there's some truth to your raps.  You will be a gorilla in a cage.  A 5'6", 135-150 lb gorilla.  A gorilla who wears skinny jeans.  Stop hiding behind your money.  If Bernie Madoff (who' never claimed to be a thug), can serve his life sentence in prison without preconditions, SURELY you can handle Rikers for 8-12 months!  Practice what you preach, "gangsta."

CDA2

CBS May Air Gay Dating Ad During Super Bowl

There has been a backlash this week from critics over the airing of a Focus on The Family ad featuring former Heisman Trophy winner, Tim Tebow.  CBS agreed to air the un-seen, yet controversial, 30 second time slot during this year's Super Bowl.  Proponents for the ad argue that one 30 second ad, during a game that will feature hundreds of other advertisements isn't that big of a deal.

With rumors that CBS is considering airing an ad for a gay dating site for men, I wonder if both sides will begin to sing a different song when it's all said and done.

Sit back, grab your popcorn, and enjoy the hypocrisy!

CDA2

Study: Spanked Children Do Better As Adults

A UK study was conducted which determined that young children spanked by their parents may grow up to be happier and more successful than those who have never been hit.

According to the research, children spanked up to the age of 6 were likely to perform better at school and were more likely to carry out volunteer work and to want to go to college than their peers who had never been physically disciplined.  It also showed that children who continued to be spanked into adolescence showed clear behavioral problems.

Naturally, the "We will not raise your kids but we will tell you what is best for them" groups in the UK have tried several times to have physical chastisement by parents outlawed.  However, Marjorie Gunnoe, professor of psychology at Calvin College in Michigan, said her study showed there was insufficient evidence to deny parents the freedom to choose how they discipline their children.  “The claims made for not spanking children fail to hold up. They are not consistent with the data,” said Marjorie Gunnoe, professor of psychology at Calvin College in Michigan.  “I think of spanking as a dangerous tool, but there are times when there is a job big enough for a dangerous tool.  You just don’t use it for all your jobs.”

That is the BEST analogy to justify a whooping if I've ever heard one!

CDA2

Child Gets Surgery On Wrong Body Part

Do you know anyone in Orange County, CA?  If they have a child that needs care, you may want to recommend they do NOT visit Children's Hospital.  A child received surgery on the wrong body part but a hospital statement claims no permanent harm was done.  That's laughable.  Are we supposed be reassured when they performed a surgery on the wrong body part in the first place?

The most terrifying part is this is actually the of third surgical mistake Children's Hospital in four years.  In 2006, a surgeon cut into the wrong side of the skull during brain surgery. In 2007, tubes were inserted into both of a child's ears instead of one.  And just last week, a surgeon was supposed to loosen a fold of tissue behind the child's upper lip but instead loosened tissue under the tongue.  In all cases, the mistakes were corrected and the children sent home.

CDA2

Lose Weight Or You Can't Graduate!

I'd like to applaud the administration at Lincoln University (PA).  They are making a controversial stand against high rates of obesity and diabetes.  These are issues which are especially prevalent in the African-American community.


Four years ago, they created an optional fitness class for all students but REQUIRED for obese students to graduate (obesity is defined by those with a BMI above 30).  The course involves walking, aerobics, weight training and other physical activities, as well as information on nutrition, stress, and sleep.  To pass the class, you don't have to actually lose weight, but simply have regular attendance and do the activities.