The main purpose of the Electoral College as the framers of our Constitution envisioned was twofold:
Continue reading “Why the USA Doesn’t Have Direct Presidential Elections”
Andrea Sneiderman was found guilty of 9 of 13 counts today. She was found guilty of four counts of perjury, three counts of making false statements, one count of concealment of material facts, and one count of hindering the apprehension of a criminal. Each of the perjury charges carries 1-10 years and the rest carry 1-5 years. This adds up to a maximum possible sentence of 65 years if they are served consecutively instead of concurrently. Sentencing is scheduled for tomorrow. Continue reading “Andrea Sneiderman Guilty”
When it comes to defense spending, the two candidates are not that far off. The President’s budget proposal provides $525.4 billion to the Department of Defense (DOD) for FY 2013, while the Ryan House budget provides $554 billion. Overseas Contingency Operation (OCO) funding, which primarily is used for operations in Afghanistan and Iraq, is separate from DOD funding. The President allots $97.7 billion for FY 2013, and caps spending through 2021 at $450 billion. Over the next decade Ryan provides $6.2 trillion for general defense spending, averaging $620 billion per year, which would include both DOD and OCO funding. Continue reading “Two Plans for Defense Spending”
Warren Lee Hill Jr. is scheduled to die at 7 p.m. on Tuesday, February 19, 2013. This is despite the fact that all the medical specialists who determined Hill to be mentally competent during his trial have recanted their statements and now believe he is unfit to receive the death penalty. One such forensic psychiatrist, Dr. Thomas Sachy, said in an affidavit last week, “having reviewed my earlier evaluation results and the far more extensive materials from the record of this case, I believe that my judgment that Mr. Hill did not meet the criteria for mild mental retardation was in error.” Continue reading “The Death Sentence of Warren Lee Hill Jr.”
The issue of whether capital punishment is an acceptable sentence for a mentally retarded person first appeared in the public forum with Jerome Bowden’s execution. Bowden was accused and later convicted of robbing and murdering a Columbus, Georgia woman in 1976. Bowden had a measured I.Q of 59, and could not count to 10. Continue reading “Death Sentences and Mental Aptitude”
Invasive species can destroy ecosystems and they are often introduced by your average, every-day pet owner. For example, the Burmese python has been found in the Florida wilds fighting alligators and was first introduced to the region through the exotic pet trade. These imported animals compete with natural species for resources and can sometimes have devastating effects on an ecosystem ill equipped to handle them. Continue reading “From Pets to Pests”
When Andrew F. Oberle was mauled by chimpanzees, it brought an important issue to national attention: wild animals are dangerous. Yet some people still think that bears, alligators, and chimps make great pets. Continue reading “Predators and Pets”
Carrying around a secret shame will weigh you down. Let’s face it: we all have our faults and we all screw up. Confessing our shortcomings helps the body, mind and soul. By admitting, out loud, that we have at times failed to measure up to our own standards, we can realize the universal nature of failing and free ourselves from the weight of guilt. Continue reading “Getting It off Your Chest”
Childhood obesity in the United States is at 17%, triple the 5% it was in 1980. Furthermore, only 20% of young people eat the recommended servings of fruits and vegetables. Georgia, with 21.3% of children obese, is ranked the second worst state for childhood obesity, including Washington D.C. One third of children 10 to 17 in Georgia are overweight. This problem needs to be addressed immediately, because overweight adolescents have a 70% chance of becoming overweight or obese adults. Continue reading “Childhood Obesity Awareness Month”
Terrell Owens will stand trial on Thursday, July 19th, for failure to pay child support. He could even face jail time. Owens was previously ordered to pay $5,000 per month to Melanie Smith, the mother of Owens’ 7-year-old daughter, who contends that Owens has been remiss in payments to the tune of $20,000. Continue reading “Dead Beat Dads, Moms and Football Stars”
Ronin Pen 