My friend for the longest time (just so happened to be gay) posted this website on his status (godhatesfags.com) and how ridiculous it was. You wanna get angry? Get angry at this....

Not only is it a Gay Hate website it is also GOD HATES AMERICA.

 It says it is sponsored by a church. Which I don't know if they are saying that or what. Not the point (however if it is a true baptist church, they do not know their own Word.)

I don't understand, they preach God, but preach His Word WRONG. This is what is 1. wrong with Christianity and why it gets a bad rep. And 2. What the core of ignorance looks like.

Oh, I must not go on any longer, It gives me such a headache!!! 

 

Happy Independence Day!  On this date in 1776, the Second Continental Congress was hard at work finalizing the American Declaration of Independence. 

Now, over 200 years later, the nation they wanted to build is probably larger and older than politicians in the eighteenth century ever could have imagined.

 
Fireworks are a major part of Independence Day celebration around the country-- they're beautiful as long as they're being used safely!
Image from Public Domain, captured by SSGT. LONO KOLLARS.

There are two major ways that we commemorate this occasion-- one, through the outdoor preparation of food on a grill, and two, through the ignition of fireworks.  The first 4th of July firework display took place in 1777, years before the American Revolution was complete, and years before anyone could have been certain that it would even be successful.

Fireworks are a display of bravado and energy that appeal to American sensibilities, and for some people pyrotechnics (that's the fancy name for fireworks technology) are a way of life.  There are competitions where fireworks enthusiasts show off their skills at designing and launching precision fireworks routines both on the ground and in the air.  A good fireworks display on the 4th of July can wow people from far and wide and get them all thinking about just what America means in their life.

Fireworks displays definitely aren't just limited to those organized by professionals, however.  In a number of the states, fireworks are totally legal for the general public to purchase and set off-- and even in states where consumer fireworks aren't actually legal, people shoot them off anyway.  In my neighborhood of Brooklyn, the neighbors have already been setting off mortar shells and roman candles for weeks, even though they're not really allowed to be doing so.

So this 4th of July, make sure you're being as safe as possible.  The National Council on Fireworks Safety has a convenient website where you can look up fireworks laws by state, as well as a section on safety measures to take when handling fireworks.  According to the council, fireworks injuries have been on the rise for the past decade, even though many of the fireworks being sold in stores are actually becoming safer, and less likely to misfire. 

Fireworks can be very fun-- they can also be unpredictable and dangerous.

This could be due to people using unlicensed, home-made or less-than-legal fireworks which are not as safe as those being sold through legitimate channels.  The rise in injuries could also be cause by something as simple as a lack of education.  It's possible that children simply aren't being einformed about fireworks safety until it is too late. 

Fireworks are a part of American culture though, and they aren't going away any time soon.  Instead of trying to pretend that consumer fireworks don't exist in our communities, we should educate our friends and neighbors on how to use them safely while celebrating!

In my experience, even the most seemingly simple fireworks can be highly unpredictable.  I've seen low-key fireworks cause all kinds of unexpected damage, from fires to holes in the ground.  You can never be too careful with fireworks, so it's best to stand far away from them, wear protective eyewear, and avoid using one's hands as much as possible. 

Fireworks injuries are no joke!  But you can do things to prevent accidents, too.

Don't hold on to fireworks any more than you absolutely have to!  And if it isn't already totally obvious, it would be wise to avoid mixing fireworks with alcohol.  If you wouldn't drive a car under the influence, I don't think that playing with explosives is any smarter.  That said, have fun!  We can be safe and have a good time.

 Happy Fourth!  Enjoy the fireworks and be safe.

Okay, I totally get that he is not white.

            For racists: Who cares? He's not white, if you have a problem with it, move to Canada.

            For people who use that as an excuse: Who cares? He's half black. WOW!!! He is president, let's focus on that.

 

See, I hear people talking about how he is OUR (as in one race not all) president and how he is the first African American president. 

Okay, NO! He is AMERICA's president. Also, technically, he is the first MIXED president. 

 

I am just tired of people playing the race card. Granted, I am glad that America has overcome the past civil rights. 

 

But please, it not because he is not white, and it isn't because he is black, it is because he is the President. 

 

We need to stop focusing on his race and start focusing on the fact he is now the president of the United States of America!

Today I went down to the Civic Center in San Francisco to watch the Obama speech with a huge crowd. The minute I heard Arehta Franklin sing out that song, I immediately got goosebumps and couldn't stop shaking. I think what makes the moment so incredible for me, is the incredible feeling of HISTORY, and the postive force this day has already brought for Americans and for the world. Check out the CROWDS! (from huffingtonpost.com)

I realize that Mr. Obama will not everything we need to change the country. But I believe Obama knows that too. Time and time again he has said, this IS NOT about me, this is about YOU. I believe this to be true. He always brings his speeches back around to the American people, and what we can all do for our nation. While I still disagree with him on some issues, I do take heart in knowing that he is an intelligent, open-minded, knowledgable thinker who will be steady and listening when it comes to our countries largest issues. I believe a good leader empowers OTHERS to make a change, and to involved themselves in creating good. This is something Obama embodies, and I'm truly proud to see him as our 44th President.

Another thing that has me thinking, is just the incredible impact this man will have on all children of color, and people of color, not to mention people of all faiths. The fact that he is so multi-cultural in religion (his father being a Muslim) in where his father's family came from (Kenya) and where he grew up (Hawaii) truly make him a person who understands what it's like to be on the difficult side of being an American as a person of color, but also understands what it's like to be accepting, compassionate, and reasonable. This is something we have missed for a very long time. I read this article that he wrote to his kids, and it just excites me to no end to hear his committment to the children of the US.

I also just watched a BBC Clip of Dr. King in an interview with BBC, looking to predict the first black president which was truly inspiring. As well as this clip of , oh yes, celebrities making pledges for Obama and America.

I also wanted to post a few of my favorite quotes from Obama's speech that really had a powerful affect on me, and my excitment for this day!

"This is the journey we continue today. We remain the most prosperous, powerful nation on Earth. Our workers are no less productive than when this crisis began. Our minds are no less inventive, our goods and services no less needed than they were last week or last month or last year. Our capacity remains undiminished. But our time of standing pat, of protecting narrow interests and putting off unpleasant decisions - that time has surely passed. Starting today, we must pick ourselves up, dust ourselves off, and begin again the work of remaking America"

"And so to all other peoples and governments who are watching today, from the grandest capitals to the small village where my father was born: know that America is a friend of each nation and every man, woman, and child who seeks a future of peace and dignity, and that we are ready to lead once more."

"know that your people will judge you on what you can build, not what you destroy. To those who cling to power through corruption and deceit and the silencing of dissent, know that you are on the wrong side of history; but that we will extend a hand if you are willing to unclench your fist."

"To the people of poor nations, we pledge to work alongside you to make your farms flourish and let clean waters flow; to nourish starved bodies and feed hungry minds. And to those nations like ours that enjoy relative plenty, we say we can no longer afford indifference to suffering outside our borders; nor can we consume the world's resources without regard to effect. For the world has changed, and we must change with it."

I'm excited and very proud on this momentus day. What were some of your favorite moments thus far?

School districts across the nation are slowly implementing cost-efficient and environmentally sound green schools. Green schools not only help to reduce the use of electricity, water, heating, and cooling, according to an article written by Eva Steele-Saccio, but they also provide students and faculty a new way of learning, as well as a new style. Schools that go “green” use “30 percent less energy and 30 to 50 percent less water than conventional school buildings, and they reduce carbon dioxide emissions by 40 percent” (1). And in total, these healthy and environmentally sound adjustments are saving schools some $100,000 annually. With those savings more could be used to train teachers, provide new technologies in the classroom, and to create new methods of learning.

There are also many other benefits aside from just the financial savings, the schools themselves have become beacons of what we as Americans should be striving for. These “green” schools provide an array of “natural light, fresh air, open plans, and multi-use facilities that encourage community involvement” not to mention “test scores rise by 20% and reduce asthma by 39%” (1). These environmentally sound schools simply provide a learning environment that is innovative, fresh, and creates a sense of hope. However, even with all of these strong and successful stories of “green” schools, many school districts believe that they are too costly to build and the projects would take up too much time, but these “green” schools are “only 2% more to build” with future savings that outmatch any extra upfront costs.

Many of these schools are using local resources as a method to build and create these “green” schools. For instance, one school used the local “YMCA for the school’s gym, the public library for books, and local theaters for performance classes” (1). These type of partnerships help reduce the need for extra buildings and helps schools intertwine more within the community. These types of unique and idealistic partnerships bring parents, local businesses, and community leaders back into the mix when it comes to reforming our schools and teaching young people how to be good stewards of their communities. It is truly amazing to imagine schools being lit with 90% natural sunlight and using recyclable materials to construct classrooms, desks, and so forth.

These new “green” designs for schools can also involve students in the process, helping to research and pick new environmentally sound products and resources as class projects. Our young people need to get back in touch with our environment. For so long now we have forgotten about the beauty and unique qualities of our nation and utilizing the natural resources that are mostly right in our backyards. These new and environmentally sound schools are not only a hope for the future reduction of energy use in our schools, as well as long-term savings overtime, but they are also a hope that one day we can truly inspire and change the very fabric of our culture and society to think GREEN!

Source: (1) Magazine: GOOD, Issue 06-Sept/Oct 2007. Author: Eva Steele-Saccio. Title: “Education by Design"