Palestine, Israel and the UN Bid

My day pretty much starts off the same way every day. I have my morning cup of green tea while surfing the news articles of the web. I wouldn't want to venture out into the world without knowing whether the sky was going to fall, or something of that nature.

One day, while courageously trudging through the doom and gloom that news articles often offer. A series of questions popped into my mind and I could not set them aside.

The first question was what is the big deal about the Palestinian U.N. bid? After all it was the U.N. recognition of the State of Israel that played a vital role in the establishment of its legitimacy.

After all of the failed attempts in negotiating a peace deal between these two parties. I feel that perhaps the U.N. involvement may not be a bad thing. I can find no reason to thwart the efforts of Palestine to be recognized as a sovereign state and the vast majority of the world leaders have arrived to the same conclusion.

The second question that came to mind seemed to have a simple answer at first. Why is America the only nation to back the Israeli stance? Well of course the answer would be, because they are our allies and the only democracy in the region.

I had to question whether the Israel being a democracy would hinder the support of other nations, and it turns out that this would not be a contributing factor. My research did however turn up something that most people do not know.

According to Professor Shlomo Sand (Hebrew University, Tel Aviv) and Professor Ilan Pappe (Hebrew University, Tel Aviv), Israel is not a true democracy. It is what they refer to as an "Ethnic Democracy". They state that twenty five percent of the citizens in Israel do not have the same rights as the Jewish population and are treated as second class citizens.

This brought me to my third and final question. Why does America support Israel so strongly if these professors are correct in their analogy of the situation?

I can only find two reasons for such great support by the American government, neither of which feels me with joy.

The first reason is media spin which I feel is a byproduct of the second reason, the Israeli Lobbyist.

These two elements combined work very effectively by coercing large numbers of Christian organizations into supporting the Israeli government. These religious groups in turn apply pressure to government officials, some of which have already been wooed themselves.

I truly hope things work out for the Israeli and Palestinian people. At the same time, I hope America remembers that sometimes you have to let your friends know when they are wrong. That is also what friends are for.

Written by: D.C. Willis

For articles of similar content, please visit: http://subtledeceit.com/

http://EzineArticles.com/6468258

Is Hyperinflation Possible in America?

Many people believe that we are experiencing a contained bout of inflation and that hyperinflation is not possible in America, simply because we are America and we are somehow exempt.We are indeed America and we are indeed a great nation. However you would be mistaken to think that somehow basic economic principles do not apply to us. But these principles do apply, and we are already facing a massive economic crisis with many signs pointing to hyperinflation.

According to the 10 Step Countdown to Hyperinflation Report, a hyperinflationary spiral is already in progress in the United States. This spiral "begins with a sharp increase in essential commodities, as in food and oil." This increase has already begun. Next, smaller banks and asset managers will start to unload Treasury holdings, causing the Fed to buy Treasuries to increase Treasury prices and reduce yields. This, too, is already happening; in March, 2011, PIMCO, the largest asset manager in Treasuries unloaded its entire portfolio of government bonds.

As the Fed hoards Treasuries and other institutions unload their portfolios, even more holders of Treasury bonds will unload their holdings. Alerted to a possible panic, the Fed will increase its purchase of Treasuries to the limit. And, according to the Countdown Report, "At this point the USD has lost 90% of its value."The Fed's attempt to stave off a Treasury panic will in fact cause that panic, with the big banks ridding themselves of Treasury holding, and the United States dollar will become toxic. Other countries will begin shedding their Treasury holdings, and the US dollar will lose its confidence in the US and abroad.

The fall of the USD will lead immediately to investment in commodities, raising commodity prices 200% literally overnight. The oil prices we've seen so far will pale in comparison to $400-$500 a barrel. Americans will begin to hoard commodities, and the Fed will print more money, which will have no effect because the dollar will be essentially worthless. Assets such as stocks and real estate will collapse in value as people flock to commodities, assets that have real value in the world. Oil, gold and other commodities will be priceless; a Mercedes Benz will be worth nothing.

But, because this is America and this kind of thing could not happen here, people will look to the government to fix this unsalvageable situation. And the government will do what it has always done. It will buy more Treasury bonds and print more money. Money which is worth less than the fine paper it's printed on. Money which will buy nothing because the dollar is toxic. Money which simply pushes the hyperinflationary spiral onward.

And then the government will get desperate. First they will initiate price controls and add more law enforcement officers to stop black market trading. The military will be called out "for the good of the country" to control violence in urban areas and to protect the citizenry from marauding gangs. But nothing the government does will reverse the hyperinflationary spiral, and things get worse. Finally the government will have to nationalize all production and distribution. Food and gas will be strictly rationed. But everyone will have food.

To Your Brightest Financial Future,
Sincerely Tamba

http://EzineArticles.com/6478630

Relive History by Collecting Classic Newspaper Stories

Collecting memorabilia and collectable items is a fun hobby, but have you ever thought about another way to relive history? Collecting classic newspaper articles is a unique and fun way to really make history come alive. If you start collecting these newspapers, you will find that despite their age, some of them are quite cheap while others are very expensive. It all depends on the news stories they contain. You will find papers containing big news items will cost a great deal. Of course this is because of the obvious supply and demand.

One of the biggest collections of historical newspapers is "Newspaper Archives." You can find stories and articles by name, category and date. An interesting way to relive history is to specialize in a particular subject or theme. For example some people will like to collect stories about the various wars that have been waged. Others may want to tell the story of a certain section of society through historical newspaper articles. It all depends on your taste and what you like in history.

The Newspaper archives has a nice feature that allows a collector to search, collect and then print free of charge the articles they find. This allows you to keep a nice little collection of the articles you want. This is much quicker than going through other sources and not being able to track down what you want. It is easy and convenient to find any article you need on any subject, from any newspaper and then just print and save it. Soon you will find that you have a complete collection of classic newspaper articles that will help you relive history in any way that you like. This is also is much cheaper than buying vintage newspapers.

You can even trace the history of a country from these archives, as they have upwards of 10 country's newspapers represented here. You can also find out about a certain era of a country and collect all the articles. There are many newspapers from all of the different states of US and it is easy to relive history with any of them. Some states have a very rich history and it is interesting to find and collect articles about the historical events that shaped their history.

This archive is always updating and getting new articles. When you join "Newspaper Archives" as a member, they will inform you when they get new articles. In this way you can also add new articles to your collection.

Surprisingly there are not too many collectors in this field so you will be creating your own unique collection of classic articles. What better way can you find to relive history through your collection of classic articles? Another good thing about having your own unique collection of articles is the fact that you can share your hobby with others who are interested in the same history that you are. You can get together and share articles and other memorabilia.

In fact you can even form an historical society dedicated to this special era in history. Also you can start a website and reach even more people. You can even start a small business selling collectibles and memorabilia based on the knowledge you have gained from your article collection. So start to relive history by collecting classic articles today.

Learn about collecting classic newspaper articles and start to relive history. Search for more information on collections and memorabilia at MyReviewsNow.Net

http://EzineArticles.com/6496000

Borders Books: Tough to Say Goodbye

Seventeen years ago I stood outside my town's newly built Borders Books and thought, "What would I ever do if this place closed." While only being open a few months it had quickly become my place of quiet and solitude. A place many called my sanctuary. It had the unwritten rules of going to your local library but without the stiffness. Walking through the front doors brought a feeling of endless possibilities and a childlike curiosity. Now with the doors soon to close forever, it brings sadness and a reflection of many years of enjoyment.

Borders shelves held a million paths to take outside the ones you may have tread so often. Scouring rows and rows of books with an open mind led you to read and explore new authors. My world has grown since discovering, John Fante, David Foster Wallace, Charles Bukowski, Sylvia Plath, Maya Angelou, Anne Sexton, Malcolm Gladwell, Nelson Algren, etc... But it wasn't just fiction or poetry; it was also learning how to design web pages, trade in the stock market, poker strategies, writing advice and so much more. It's easy to read this and think, "Big deal, you can Google it or look online for any answer." And that is where most miss the point. It's the discovery. It's the reference. It's the research. It's the feeling of thinking a certain book was written just for you. The author connects his words to some part of your life and makes you think and reflect. You slow your reading because you don't want that book to end. I'm sure many readers would agree that they could look at their bookshelf and remember where they bought the books that truly moved them.

There are those that may find it odd to be so reflective of a bookstore or for that matter in its basic form, a building, closing. But much like any place where people gather for similar reasons, each Borders across the country was a reflection of that community. Through its author readings, kids story time, book clubs, employee book reviews, charity work and local school/teacher contributions it was more than a retail book store. For many it was a social gathering, a place to meet without the noise and distraction of outside forces. And even if you knew no one, there was still the feeling of being connected through one common interest, books.

I'd be lying if I said I wasn't aware that Borders wasn't keeping up with the times, which is to say technology ran past the bookstore chain. The birth of the e-Book was the beginning of a slow death for Borders. When the Kindle/Amazon hit the market it was a sign of the times for words on paper. Not long after, the Barnes & Noble chain jumped into the e-Book game to try and keep up. Borders sat on the sideline seemingly content with its shelves of books and magazines. I know there are many more reasons for the demise of my book store, but as I view the giant, "Store Closing" banner flapping obliviously from the brick wall I can't help but wonder how it really came to this. But what's done is done.

As the final weeks tick down I find each visit is like a wake in stages. Watching eager bargain hunters pick the bones clean, while little kids scream and cry breaking the understood code of silence sends a dose of melancholy through my heart. It's like an adult watching their childhood park bulldozed. I stand amongst the shelves and try to bargain with myself. I know across the street there's another bookstore. I know I can go online and order. But that seems sacrilegious for use of a strong word. The atmosphere, the comfort, the feeling that today could be a day I find the book that changes my life. That's what will be hard to duplicate. And that's what made Borders more than just a building with books.

Bruce Aderhold would like to invite you to read more book reviews along with articles of various topics at http://hubpages.com/profile/BKAONE

I hope you have found something of use and thought provoking in my words. I thank you for visiting and reading.

http://twitter.com/bruceaderhold

http://EzineArticles.com/6488120

Sources for Trending News

We once relied solely on newspapers, television and neighbourhood gossip to find out about the latest trending news. Since the advent of the internet, newspapers have become a dying trend and are no longer the primary source for news related information. More and more people are relying on the internet to stay informed, turning to the sites they already frequently visit on a regular basis. Amazingly, a multitude of platforms have emerged, offering trending news in a myriad of formats.

Most of these sites present reports in a much different format than traditional sites, which historically has been very objective and straight to the point. News sites are now offering more opinion-oriented articles. Often they present the information in an informative yet entertaining way in hopes of competing against all the much less formal platforms offering fun and offbeat reporting. Websites including Facebook and Twitter are changing the way we read news. They make it easier to integrate staying informed into our daily activities.

Many of us check the news while surfing Facebook or Twitter, and turn to friend's profiles and stats to learn about the latest news or gossip. Traditionally our expectations have been very high in regards to the accuracy of the news related source. Today we've become more desensitized to receiving news from less reputable sources, accepting claims without validation that the information is in fact truthful and accurate. Our friends latest Twitter status update is now an acceptable trending news source, and people are becoming far more vocal about their opinions.

In the past if we had a complaint or opinion about something we read in the newspaper we would have filed a complaint and hoped that it would be read or published. Today, however, it only takes the click of a button to create a viral statement about what we've read or heard. We also have far more sources to validate what we have read in the newspaper or heard on television. We can see it not only from the "objective" point of view of traditional news sources but also from an opinion standpoint. Sources including Twitter, Facebook and other social platforms make it easier for us to see what other people are saying and and provide us with varying viewpoints. Social networking sites structure our communication effectively to make our thoughts more streamlined. Even email seems outdated when we interact with our friends and share news over these innovative channels.

With the power of the internet comes many drawbacks. People have written at length about top news sites not being completely honest with reporting. Fortunately, several solutions have emerged to streamline our consumption of trending news.

http://EzineArticles.com/6504074

Did So Many Join The English Riots Because Of Permissive Parenting?

There are probably several complex factors that can throw light on the causes of the riots. Is one of them possibly that of permissive parenting?

Given the huge decline in the influence of organised religion, what is right and wrong is now mainly learned in the home and through the media. We tend to still assume that the role of a parent is to supervise children and teach them right and wrong. But to what extent is this still happening?

There are fathers and mothers of rioting teenagers who didn't know or claimed they didn't know their offspring were out on the street at night. One view is that some parents could indeed take more responsibility for the behaviour of their children, but that others are struggling to cope at the best of times, sometimes dealing with chronic illness or the effects of domestic abuse. Some parents in social housing work very long hours in low paid jobs to make ends meet and cannot afford a child-minder to keep an eye on their children when they are doing evening shifts or during the long school holiday.

For the rest of the population who are not particularly well off, especially younger families, money is very tight. High housing costs and reducing wages mean more mothers are obliged to go out to work for the family to make ends meet. Nevertheless there is still a common expectation these women will also do most of the domestic work in the home. As a consequence they have less to do with their children.

One argument is that since the 1960's, permissiveness in western culture has led to early sexualisation often not making its way into stable relationships, and that this leads to higher rates of divorce and weakened parenting. Mothers lack help from absent fathers to deal with bad behaviour and no-one to back them up telling kids about right and wrong.

We can only guess at this stage how many looters come from homes with incomplete parenting. From film on television, black youths were seen among the rioters. Is it a co-incidence that according to a BTEG report, 48 percent of black Caribbean families with dependent children are headed by a lone parent? This compares to the national average in the UK of 7 percent of households with children (according to Office of National Statistics 2007) It would be instructive to know the rate of lone parenting amongst the families bringing up the white rioters.

Another aspect of permissiveness has been the absence of effective public censorship of film, video and television. Someone said that being in the middle of the riot was like being in the middle of a computer game or a film set. Admittedly, research into the potential anti-social effects of the media is difficult area to investigate and has not always produced consistent results. However, many academic studies do suggest a relationship between exposure to media violence and violent behaviour.

Parents who watch and expose their family to bloodshed, sexual extortion and theft on television and video film, can only be helping with desensitisation to violence and other horrible behaviour.

Also the distinction between the virtual and the real seems to be disappearing for some young people. The computer game 'Grand Theft Auto' contains some horrendous scenes. Perhaps we shouldn't be surprised if some individuals eventually act out these hate-filled fantasies. If one opens one-self to such excitement there should be no surprise if a hellish state of mind starts to rule one's actions. The Christian religion argues there is a reality to evil from which we need to be saved.

Parents might tell their kids about legal penalties if one is caught breaking the law and may say it is morally wrong to steal from, harm or tell lies to others. To know what is said to be right and wrong is one thing, but to understand why it is a good rule is another. How many parents are not at home to explain their views e.g. when their kids are watching television. They may be too tired to be other than permissive in their attitude to bad behaviour in the home.

It is good to show care for others by respecting their property, helping them, and being honest with them. The hope for society is if the spiritual principles behind moral codes can be shown by parents so they can be seen as good and acceptable.

It is up to their offspring to do the rest - to think about matters, to accept what is a moral guideline worthy of following, to resolve to follow it in personal life and to resist temptation to go against it - these are all different stages in moral development.

But if they are not brought up to appreciate what makes laws good and useful they are unlikely to obey them if they believe they can get away with it. When the mob is doing crime, this is exactly what those joining in assume. They will be lost in the crowd. Their natural tendency to self-love and conceit that they know best then take over.

Copyright 2011 Stephen Russell-Lacy

As a clinical psychologist, Stephen Russell-Lacy has specialised in cognitive-behavioural psychotherapy, working for many years with adults suffering distress and disturbance. His book Heart, Head and Hands draws links between the psycho-spiritual teachings of the eighteenth century spiritual philosopher Emanuel Swedenborg and current ideas in therapy and psychology.

He edits Spiritual Questions a free eZine that explores links between spiritual philosophy and the comments and questions of spiritual seekers. Sign up to share your views and find out more about the meaning of life.

http://EzineArticles.com/6505734

More People Reading News Online

Not too long ago, we found our daily news through either the newspaper, the TV, or the radio. The whole world relied on these 3 mediums to learn what was happening in the world so much so that media houses literally ruled the world. Not so today, when the internet has made sure that the news is no longer the forte of any one particular media house. Almost everywhere, they have had to re-invent themselves so that they can transfer their news to a web platform the web is distributing news much faster than it ever was before.

When top news breaks in Palestine, the people in South Africa or the South Pole will know about it seconds after it appears on the internet as a news item. Individuals, who were the biggest portion of newspaper buyers and TV watchers, today receive their news through their personal computers and smartphones. Technology makes it possible to receive all kinds of news on mobile phones. According to recent statistics, people who own mobile phones will spend between 65% and 75% of their day close to these devices. This means that they receive alerts for all kinds of news that they are interested in. They never need buy a newspaper or magazine. Pictures and videos are available online, and the need for TV to reinforce news with images declines even further.

It is entirely possible for a piece of news to travel without a single word of hard print. In remote places of the world where it was difficult to transport hard print, a simple mobile phone can keep an individual as informed as someone in New York or Paris. Many media conglomerates of the 80s and 90s died because they were not able to change. They relied on advertising dollars that they made through hard print, but the internet today has changed the face of this revenue stream as well. Almost any advertisement that is considered by a business will be considered for the internet, and maybe for hard print. Advertising on the internet can be inexpensive, too, meaning that these media companies have to find additional ways to generate revenue. Many of the largest have moved their publications online. Even then, the debate of the death of hard copy newspapers and magazines continues. They are not left with much choice though, because so long as a person has access to a cheap mobile phone that can access the internet, and most do, they will most of the time prefer to get their news variety from there.

For other interesting writings regarding the reporting of news and the media, please visit top news sources online.

http://EzineArticles.com/6495574

News Landscape Changing

The world is changing in so many ways and the news landscape is no exception. News delivery is rapidly changing its face and we are now seeing newer forms of delivery channels with the rise of the internet.

Slowly but surely the days when we bought newspapers and magazines to read the latest reports on a regular basis are becoming a thing of the past. Traditional delivery methods have become the thing of the past. The present and the future is all about the instant news delivery channels such as the internet. News sites deliver more targeted content faster and more relevant than ever.

More and more people today are getting easy and affordable internet access to their computers and mobile devices. With the help of this internet connection, people can receive reports of events happening all around the world on their mobile or computer screen. The internet is a huge global village which congregates all the reports from all the corners of the world and shows them instantly on the top news sites

Trending news can be read instantly using popular search engines such as Google, Yahoo and Bing news sections. Top news breaking at any given time can be found on news sites like CNN.com, BBC.co.uk, ABC, CBS, USAToday.com, etc.

Because of the rise of internet-based news consumption, more and more people are abandoning channels such as radio, print, and television. Any person from any part of the world who is hungry for latest news can read about national as well as international news, breaking news, world events, major sports, latest movie reviews on the above online news websites.

The internet as a technology provides vast benefits unavailable to more traditional channels. In recent years the rise of social networking has demonstrated the immense value derived from social channels. In the context of reading about current events, social commenting on reports and blog postings provides individuals with a voice they never had. People can post and share news with friends, an activity once limited to less-structured and less efficient forms of communication such as phone, fax, and email. In many cases, individuals can even interact directly with authors and actors close to the stories.

In addition, internet-based news can leverage more rich forms of presentation including audio and video. On-demand video clips from news websites can be more appealing and convenient relative to set programmed television news. Thus news landscape is really changing in terms of delivery channels and most people are now favoring popular news websites rather than conventional newspapers, magazines and TV news.

With the power of the internet people need to be extra careful when reading news sites. Sources for trending news can be biased just as traditional news sources may be. People should take caution when interacting with online news sources.

http://EzineArticles.com/6501175

Land Your G5 at Shannon, You're Cleared

Adjust your sunglasses and buckle your seatbelts. You're touching down at Shannon!

Shannon Airport has welcomed a procedural change for US Customs and Border Protection (CBP) that has created a business bonanza for the airport.

Welcoming the revised procedures by US authorities, which will enable much faster turn-around for private and business jets.

In 2009 Shannon Airport effectively became the first airport in the world to offer full US pre-clearance.

OK so you ask "who's using Shannon airport?" Who else but CEO's! Walmart's Michael Duke, Citigroup's Vikram Pandit and American Express chief Kenneth Chenneault are among the top-shelf US biz giants who have flown private jets through Shannon Airport in recent months since the airport introduced its pre-clearance service for travel to the USA.

Hollywood moguls - no stranger to the green Isle have taken advantage of the new rules. According to sources Pamela Anderson, Morgan Freeman, Tom Hanks and Mariah Carey have all touched down at the airport, with John Travolta piloting his own jet into Shannon.

Last year the airport handled 1,700 corporate jets, which was up 10% from 2009. The airport now plans to triple numbers over a five-year period as it seeks to become a European hub.

There are approximately 25,000 private aircraft across the globe with 76 jets registered to Irish citizens.

Here's how you the private or business jet traveler will benefit:

• Your baggage is checked through to your final destination, no need for pick up/drop off.
• Arriving as a domestic passenger allows for a faster process though the airport.
• Shorter connecting times mean you can reach your final destination earlier.

Former Irish Minister Willie O'Dea TD says it took over a decade for the USA and Canada to open the CBP facilities in Canada - Ireland took barely 18 months to agree and open the commercial facility. The private and commercial pre-clearance facility combined with the abundance of space at Shannon, make it well positioned to become a major player in the international cargo hub which is where they believe it will go.

Over 200 US domestic airports can now receive international Business Jet flights directly from Shannon that have pre-cleared US Customs and Immigration at Shannon without delay. The new process will ensure an enhanced US preclearance process at Shannon and guarantee quick aircraft turnarounds. For any operator who requires a fuel stop on the North Atlantic, pre-clearance becomes very attractive..

"We are grateful to the US authorities for this change and, indeed, to the National Business Aviation Association for their efforts in this regard."

You'll still need to have your pre-clearance formalities handled 1 hour before the flight. And passengers planning travel to the US are required under the Visa Waiver Programme to apply for travel authorization online prior to travel. It's got a name: The new electronic system for travel authorisation (ESTA) can be completed at https://esta.cbp.dhs.gov

Turn up the volume and pour me that Jameson! We're jettin' off.

http://EzineArticles.com/6483950

Religion and American Government

Normally, twelve to eighteen months before a presidential election, politicians begin to jockey for position. And at times it can become an embarrassing fiasco that probably leaves people in other nations wondering if all Americans are crazy.

The topic of religion always seems to be high on the list of candidate qualifications and I have found myself asking if this should be a deciding factor?

America is a nation that was founded on the freedom of religion, which is guaranteed by the First Amendment to the U.S. Constitution. So should the religious affiliation of a presidential candidate make a difference?

Setting out to find the answer to this question, I found that there are misconceptions which are held by a great number of American citizens. I would like to address a few of these ideas and lay some of the mistaken beliefs to rest.

By large, the greatest misunderstanding that seems to be held by the general public is that the United States is a Christian Nation. This is a fallacy and I will explain why.

The United States was not founded upon Christianity; the predominant religion in America is Christianity. This is demonstrated by the First Amendment to the Constitution which reads as follows:

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

This is not the only example which demonstrates that the nation was not founded on Christianity. Actually there is another example that does not leave room for interpretation.

The Barbary Treaties 1786-1816

Treaty of Peace and Friendship, Signed at Tripoli November 4, 1796

ARTICLE 11

"As the government of the United States of America is not in any sense founded on the Christian Religion,-as it has in itself no character of enmity against the laws, religion or tranquility of Musselmen,-and as the said States never have entered into any war or act of hostility against any Mehomitan nation, it is declared by the parties that no pretext arising from religious opinions shall ever produce an interruption of the harmony existing between the two countries."

Now that we have established that the United States was not founded on Christianity. We should look at the religious beliefs of the Founding Fathers.

Thomas Jefferson wrote: "The God of the Old Testament -- the God which Christians worship - Jefferson pronounces "a being of terrific character - cruel, vindictive, capricious, and unjust" (Works Vol. IV. page 325).

"The day will come when the mystical generation of Jesus, by the Supreme Being as his father, in the womb of a virgin will be classed with the fable of the generation of Minerva in the brain of Jupiter." (Works Vol. IV. page 365).

Jefferson was not the only founding father to hold a religious view known as Deism. The list is to include George Washington, James Monroe, Benjamin Franklin and James Madison.

This is not to say that these men did not attend church at all or even that they despised Christianity. On the contrary, George Washington accompanied his wife to church quite often according to historical record. But Washington would leave before communion and there is no record of him ever participating in the ceremony.

Knowing that the Founding Fathers worked diligently to insure that there was a wall built between church and state. I believe that they would hang their heads in shame if they could see that we have not maintained that barrier very well.

Today we have politicians that hold prayer meetings during their campaign for election. Mingling their interpretations of biblical doctrine with what they feel public policies should be.

There are groups that accuse the current president of being Muslim, as if he does not have that right, if he so chooses. As long as he separates his religious beliefs from his governmental duties this should not be an issue.

We have Christian and Jewish groups that lobby our government on a daily basis. Most of which are demanding that the U.S. Government give full and unwavering support to the government of Israel. While the government in question works hard to maintain an Ethnic Democracy in that country. This is a form of government that treats people of other religions as second class citizens.

I do not believe that the Founding Fathers of our nation would support or assist any foreign nation's government in establishing an ethnic democracy, based on Old Testament ideologies. This would go against the principles that they put forth and undermine the idea of the separation between church and state.

This wall that our forefathers built between the church and government should not be viewed in the same light as the wall which once stood in Berlin. This wall is something that we should embrace and reinforce on every possible occasion. Tearing it down will not unite a people but rather it will destroy a nation.

The thirteenth president of the United States offered some words of wisdom that perhaps we should reflect upon.

"I am tolerant of all creeds. Yet if any sect suffered itself to be used for political objects I would meet it by political opposition. In my view church and state should be separate, not only in form, but fact. Religion and politics should not be mingled." Millard Fillmore (1809-1865)

So to the great nation of America I say, enjoy the freedoms that you have. Worship the God of your choosing, in the manner you see fit. But please honor our Founding Fathers and check your religion at the door before you enter the arena of our government.

For articles of similar content, please visit: http://subtledeceit.com/

http://EzineArticles.com/6494064

How The Food Safety Modernization Act Intends to Prevent Foodborne Illnesses

The FDA recognizes that over forty-five million Americans are affected each year by foodborne illnesses, leading to health risks, hospitalization, and sometimes death. Because of these alarming rates, there is a new law called the FDA Food Safety Modernization Act that attempts to increase the frequency of food inspections. The main goal of the FSMA is to hold farmers, manufacturers, and restaurants responsible for maintaining food safety regulations.

Since there is a long chain of food suppliers for America, the FDA plans to mandate higher food regulations for each provider in order to prevent foodborne illnesses all together. Imported foods are a large contributor to such problems, and with FSMA, those providers will be held to stricter regulations that will ensure higher quality products are being delivered to the United States. There are new tools in place to ensure that imported foods meet U.S. safety standards prior to delivery to American consumers. The FDA can now accredit auditors to inspect the facilities overseas to check that they are following the required regulations under FSMA. Certain high risk foods being imported from suppliers will now be accompanied by certification under the new act. Any foreign provider who denies access for inspections will not be allowed to export their goods.

In the case where a certain type of food has been found to contain a foodborne illness, the FDA will have the authority to recall that item from all contaminated manufacturers and restaurants in order to prevent consumers from becoming infected. This is not typically a problem because most food providers are willing to cooperate with voluntary recalls, but if an organization refuses, the FDA now has the authority to pull the infected food from its supply. While recalls can be effective at protecting consumers, the goals of FSMA are to prevent foodborne illnesses from entering the food supply. This can be accomplished by educating food production businesses and ensuring that they understand the rules and regulations set forth. To ensure that farmers and manufacturers are following these rules, training programs are being developed to educate workers in these industries and to ensure their understanding and compliance. The FDA is also developing new rules for the safe harvesting and production of vegetables and fruits.

Businesses in the food industry can prepare for the upcoming regulations in food safety by evaluating their own practices and reading the guidelines set forth by the FDA. These guidelines are readily available to anyone who wishes to learn more on governmental websites. Farmers and workers can also participate in standardized training programs that will help educate them on proper safety production. When the companies that produce goods are complying with safety standards, restaurants will only receive high quality goods that contain no harmful infections or illnesses. The upcoming changes will take time to be fully implemented, but with the compliance of all parties in the food supply chain, American consumers will be better protected from preventable foodborne illness.

An excellent source of practical advice about food safety systems including produce traceability can be found at http://www.redlineforproduce.com/.

http://EzineArticles.com/6478669

The Road to Diversity: A Road Trip Through Different Cultures

You don't need to fly all over the world to experience different cultures, some of them can be just a couple hours away or even right in your back yard. Have you ever wondered what a family dinner is like at your neighbor's house down the street? How about 20 minutes away in the heart of the big city near you? Diversity isn't just about celebrating the differences in skin color all around the world, it's also about celebrating the differences between us and our neighbors. The differences between how we prepare our food, clean our houses, and even teach our children to count.

We can learn a lot about diversity by befriending our neighbors or taking a short road trip. So how can you experience culture without having to travel all over the world? Well the first way is through food. Ask your neighbors to do a dinner swap! One day at your house, and one at theirs. You can even swap recipes at the end to cook their favorite dishes. Or during the summertime you can go to a local food festival. There are a lot of festivals celebrating the culture from their city through food.

Another way you can explore different local cultures is by volunteering. You may not realize it, but people's culture and home life is directly affected by their money status. You can experience these differences by volunteering at your local homeless shelter or soup kitchen. Exploring the different parts of your city/town that you're not accustomed to can really broaden your mind and open your heart to diversity.

Another fun way to explore culture is by taking a road trip. Every town has a different culture, so going on a road trip to explore a few different towns helps you understand a different culture. While you're visiting those towns you can visit the local hot spots, boutiques, or learn about things the town is famous for. This may not seem like it'll broaden your mind as much as say, going on a mission trip to Africa, but by exploring the differences of the towns around you, you are learning more about diversity and culture every day.

It's just as important to understand the people that are around you every day as it is to understand the ones a whole ocean away from you. So take a day or two to go out and explore the culture around you. You might find that you'll learn something new and interesting.

I am a student interested in marketing and public relations and currently have an internship with http://www.diversitypromotions.com/. diversitypromotions.com is a company dedicated to promoting positive messages about diversity, inclusion and multiculturalism through its Embrace Diversity product line (t-shirts, temporary tattoos, tote bags, volunteer or committee gifts, or custom products with your own message), educational endeavors (trainings, presentations, seminars, books, and articles), and special events such as establishing National Diversity Day. We have also written and published the book "Understanding Cultural Diversity in Today's Complex World" in its' fifth printing.

http://EzineArticles.com/6468511