Japan, the Bible, and the Apocalypse.. Oh my!

What a ride this past weekend has been. Between dealing with a death in the family, Japan being rocked (literally) to its knees and everything else in between, you would honestly think that Armageddon has finally started to rear its head.

First the initial earthquake, then the earthquake-provided tsunami, then aftershocks that are as big almost as the initial quake, now TWO Nuclear Power Plant explosions.

Thanks for a FaceBook friend posting the following, I can now (clearly) see the signs of impeding warning that is upon us globally.

"Sept 11 (NY), Jan 11 (Haiti), March 11 (Japan)...Luke 21:10-11 : "Nation will rise against nation, & kingdom against kingdom. There will be great earthquakes, famines, and pestilences in various places, and fearful events and great signs from Heaven.". Jesus says, For behold I come quickly, (so...ask yourself are we ready?)."

Until now, I didn't really pay much attention. But look at this pattern...Three sets of "11" on the day's dates. Plus one of them was 2001, another also was in 2011. Too many ones for my head to wrap around.

Makes what I had posted in my ParanorMel blog about the Horseman of the Apocalypse video seem more real than "shopped or cropped".

To read about the video from MSNBC that *supposedly* caught the ghostly figure of one of the Bible's Four Horsemen during a nighttime riot in Cairo, Egypt, CLICK HERE.

Pretty eerie stuff if you ask me. Sure I'm still on the proverbial fence as to the validity of the piece. If I wasn't in the technologically advanced age, then I say that that is some cause for worry.

On the flip side of the argument though, if indeed someone did in fact catch the horseman REALLY riding through, fulfilling Biblical Prophesy for our generation's time, then my friends, some of us are in some deep shit. And some of us are about to be called home.

One of my favorite novel series to read is the Left Behind books. It's a series by Tim LaHaye and Jerry Jenkins. The books speak about topics of Christian dispensationalist End Times: pretribulation, premillennial, Christian eschatological viewpoint of the end of the world.

Pretty fascinating and capturing stuff, if you ask me.

Just too much is happening within the world on a global scale to NOT really take a deeper look in to why all of these "natural disasters" are taking place as well as other life-taking matters (terrorist attacks, wars, severe famine and pestilence). When you think about it all, and put one and one together, it honestly makes you see things in a much bigger picture being interwoven like a spider's web of destruction.

In Transplant News This Past Week...

This past week has been filled with appalling headlines. Both of which I'd known about earlier on. But one thing has become "official", whereas the other news of noting is still "in the works". In the end, both stories go against ethics of humanity and ethics within the Transplant world.

First of all, let's talk about the (ahem) 'lovely' Janet Brewer, Governor of Arizona and her cuts that SHE passed in to affect.

I'd written a piece about her and what her plans were a while back in regards to those that are waiting on organs and are served by the state's Medicaid Assistance. To read that post, CLICK HERE.

Now, these "Death Panels" have been officially put in to place. The cards are all laid out. And HUNDREDS of Arizona citizens that are waiting on a LIFE SAVING organ transplant will NOT live long enough to get it.

Why? Because the worst of the worst will be removed from the Waiting List, and are on Medicaid Assistance in the state of Arizona.

Governor Brewer signed in to affect, budget cuts to "save money" in her state. One of those slashes were to Medicaid. And primarily those waiting on an Organ Transplant.

To read the latest article on it, CLICK HERE. This is an older article, yes, But now Janet Brewer has set in to motion, a wave of death.

Now, as for the other article that has been capturing my attention, and has for some time now, as the story has been unfolding is the story of the two sisters from Mississippi who were sentenced to LIFE in prison for their crimes, but were RELEASED after serving sixteen years, on ONE condition... That one sister IS to donate a kidney to the other, who's own kidney is failing.

Apparently, the judge that ordered this "new sentence" is not very well versed in the rules, regulations, ethics and overall practices of Organ Donation. Because if the idiot was, he would KNOW that to FORCE anyone to be an organ donor (especially when it's NOT known at the time if indeed the sisters are an actual match) is considered unlawful and goes against EVERYTHING that UNOS (United Network for Organ Sharing) stands for and has laid out as the procedures to give and receive organs.

To read the article in reference to the criminal sisters who got off on a strange "technicality", CLICK HERE.

They were ALLOWED to move out of state (which normally is a no-no with Probation). But the transplant cannot take place until they BOTH lose weight. And hey, they get a PERSONAL TRAINER for that, and Gastric Bypass Surgery. Then of course, the Organ Transplant Surgery.

Like the doctors, I'd REALLY love to know WHO is going to pay for this? It's obvious that neither of them have medical insurance. And by my understanding of practice, the patient MUST have some kind of medical insurance to be approved as a Recipient.

Plus the Judge who ordered this weird release states that the transplant MUST happen within a year, or (hypothetically) they will be sent BACK to prison. WTF?? I say that they should have NEVER left on these types of terms.

Maybe I should have been imprisoned BEFORE my transplant that I had for my eye. Then all MY bills would be paid FOR me. Instead, I have pretty good insurance, but still stuck with on-going bills for the REST OF MY LIFE for the transplant its self and for the lifelong, on-going care I will need (and possibly ANOTHER Corneal Transplant down the road). Because apparently, it PAYS to be in prison these days, instead of a "punishment".

Arizona Congresswoman Gabby Giffords

Today, a tragedy had struck in Arizona. Arizona Congresswoman Gabby Giffords, along with 17 other people have been shot. One of them a 9-year-old girl. She died of her injuries, as did Federal Court Judge John Roll, who also was killed in the gun fire.

http://www.nytimes.com/2011/01/09/us/politics/09giffords.html?hp

Giffords was at a Safeway Supermarket, holding a meeting with her constituents in regards to get their opinion on the topics that were at top list for when the House reconvened.

That's when shooter, twenty-two-year-old Jared Lee Loughner opened fire. One of the shots went in to Congresswoman Giffords' head. She was taken to the hospital and went immediately to surgery.

And almost as immediately, the political fighting began.

Now, the leftists are attacking the right. Vise versa. Most (including myself in all honesty) place blame on the Tea-Party and their influencing of "hatred" towards those that are not ultra-conservative like themselves for "turning" people in to killing machines.

Hello, people!! People, everyday citizens of our society (like the INNOCENT girl), as well as well-known politicos (like Judge Roll) are DEAD. And now, all people can do on news boards, FaceBook pages, Twitter tweets and other media-type and social-networks is duke it out with the opposing party?

Classless and tasteless, if you ask me. I can say that in my own mind what I THINK drove this shooter to the breaking point. And that is Illegal Immigration and possibly even the cut backs that are in the news in concern to Death Panels in their state (Medicaid coverage).

But to blame an entire Political Party for what ONE person did? That is just too far fetched and just outlandish.

Instead of fighting amongst yourselves in the Political Ring, why not instead extend your sympathy to the families that have now lost loved ones? And also extend empathy, encouragement and hope to those who are still alive, but are injured and may be fighting for their lives?

Like Giffords, who is out of surgery, in critical, but stable condition.

It's called being a HUMAN BEING, instead of a political fan club member.

"Am I A Fireman Yet??"

Once in a while, my dad will send me things from his side of the country. At almost 3,000 miles apart, it doesn't happen all too often. But when he does send things (primarily for his grandkids), he will send me clippings from a local magazine, The Carson Valley Scoop. Inside are some jokes, heart-warming stories and other articles that make you sit back and think, and also realize just how good you've really got it, compared to other people.

The following is a copy of an article (re-typed word-for-word by yours truly). This one really tugged at my heart strings. And yes, even brought a tear or two to my eyes. As a mother, how could I not feel the deepness of this story? So without further adieu, here is the story from 'Scoop'...

"Am I A Fireman Yet??"

In Phoenix, Arizona, a 26-year-old mother stared down at her 6 year old son, who was dying of terminal Leukemia.

Although her heart was filled with sadness, she also had a strong feeling of determination.

Like any parent, she wanted her son to grow up and fulfill all his dreams. Now that was no longer possible. The Leukemia would see to that. But she wanted her son's dream to come true.

She took her son's hand and asked, 'Billy, did you ever think about what you wanted to be once you grew up? Did you ever dream and wish what you would do with your life?"

"Mommy, I always wanted to be a fireman when I grew up."

Mom smiled back and said, "Let's see if we can make your wish come true."

Later that day she went to her local fire department in Phoenix, Arizona, where she met Fireman Bob, who had a heart as big as Phoenix. She explained her son's final wish and asked if it might be possible to giver her 6-year-old son a ride around the block on the fire engine.

Fireman Bob said, "Look, I can do better than that. If you'll have him ready by seven o'clock Wednesday morning, we'll make him an honorary Fireman for the whole day. He can come down to the fire station, eat with us, go out on all the fire calls, the whole nine yards! And if you'll give us his sizes, we'll get a real fire uniform for him, with a real fire hat - not a toy- one- with the emblem of the Phoenix Fire Department on it, a yellow slicker like we wear and rubber boots." They're all manufactured locally, so they can get it ordered and back pretty fast.

Three days later Fireman Bob picked up Billy, dressed him in his uniform, and escorted him from his hospital bed the waiting hook and ladder truck. Billy got to sit on the back of the truck and help steer it back to the fire station. He was in heaven. There were three fire calls in Phoenix that day and Billy got to go out on all three calls.

He rode in the different fire engines, the Paramedic's van, and even the Fire Chief's car. He was also videotaped for the local news program.

Having his dream come true, with all the love and attention that was lavished upon him, so deeply touched Billy, that he lived three months longer than any doctor thought possible.

One night all of his vital signs began to drop dramatically and the head nurse, who believed in the Hospice concept - that no one should die alone, began to call the family members to the hospital. Then she remembered the day Billy had spent as a Fireman, so she called the Fire Chief and asked if it would be possible to send a fireman in uniform to the hospital to be with Billy as he made his transition.

The Chief replied, "We can do better than that. We'll be there in five minutes. Will you please do me a favor? When you hear the sirens screaming and see the lights flashing, will you announce over the PA system that there is not a fire?" 'It's the Department coming to see one of its finest members one last time. And will you open the window to his room?'

About five minutes later a hook and ladder truck arrived at the hospital and extended its ladder up to Billy's third floor open window - SIXTEEN fire-fighters climbed up the ladder in to Billy's room. With his mother's permission, they hugged him and told him how much they LOVED him.

With his dying breath, Billy looked up and the Fire Chief and said, "Chief, and I really a Fireman now?" 'Billy, you are, and the Head Chief, Jesus, is holding your hand', the Chief said.

With those words, Billy smiled and said, "I know, He's been holding my hand all day, and the angels have been singing." He then closed his eyes one last time.

Death Penalty. YOUR thoughts.

We all have to die at some point. It is a given. Some will be old and have lived a good life. Some will fall gravely ill and pass young. Those of any age can be killed in a vehicle accident. And there are some that will be murdered. And some will be put to death as punishment for taking another human's life.

Today, we are going to talk about the latter. Executions and Death Row. Now, before you go off on a tangent and yell at me that God commands us to not kill and that executions are wrong and/or immoral, I urge you to READ THIS FIRST before commenting right off the bat.

Also, be sure to read PART 2 OF THIS WHOLE STORY.

This woman put a hit out for someone that she was supposed to have loved and his son, who of course thought she loved him like he was her own flesh and blood.

Instead, she loved the impending Life Insurance Policy payout more and had two men break in to their home and kill the son, first. Then, as her husband was BEGGING for mercy, they then shot him, too.

The reason that Teresa Lewis is sitting on Death Row, awaiting her fate, twenty days from now is because she put this whole ordeal in motion. She was as guilty as those that pulled the trigger.

True, those two men received life sentences. But her part was much more heinous. She PAID to have her husband and his boy killed. Not because she was in harm's way, was being abused or anything of the like. But for the money.

Now she is begging that her life be spared, as are her attorneys and anti-death penalty activists, and they all are asking the judge show this woman 'mercy'?? WHAT?!?!

Where was 'mercy' when her step-son and her husband pleaded and begged to not be hurt or killed, and said that the men could have ANYTHING they wanted? It wasn't there that day. Mercy for those two men were nowhere in sight.

She has had to have been segregated from the common prison population for seven YEARS. WHY? And with that said, how will she be of "help" to the other female inmates, as to use her faith to help others? You cannot do that when you are NOT AROUND other inmates!! Duh.

Yes, I do support the Death Penalty. Many who are there, deserve it. If it is indeed proven that they had the means, the motive and the forethought to take a fellow human's life, as to gain from it monetarily (or any other means of ganing something materialistic in nature), or even just to kill someone, then yes, serve them death. On a silver platter.

If it was purely for self-defense and/or to protect your children, then that is a different matter. At least you are not killing someone just for the sake of killing and getting a rush (or something materialistic).

And yes, this woman, Teresa Lewis, deserves the ultimate punishment. If she wasn't so callous, money-hungry and devious, then maybe, just MAYBE, Julian and CJ Lewis would still be alive and well today.

Those that know her closely have even stated that she is a con-artist and has even fooled a couple of pastors (in months/years before this tragedy) in to thinking that she was an upstanding citizen of the community, and a good Christian woman.

Come to realize later, many that knew her, feel that she had a hand in the car wreck that took her husband's other son, almost to the day of his death, a year before. That son had apparently had a good sized Life Insurance Policy as well.

Seven years is a long time. A long time of being away from the main prison populous, sitting in Segregation. And a long time of my husband's and my tax dollars going to that prison to house, feed and clothe a murderess, who is a classic example of a Black Widow wife.

Not all killings deserve the Death Penalty. But, ones like this do. An eye for an eye. A tooth for a tooth. She reaped what she sowed. And for her, it ended with a hefty price.

True, killing her will not bring back two men that were dearly loved by their daughter and sister. But it will bring justice to two men that still deserved better than to be wasted for money.

Cell Phones In School. Should The Ban Be Lifted?

I think for today's post, being that it is nearing that time of the year once more, I shall touch on a subject that could become a hot button topic of debate.

Cell phone usage in schools by students.

Our city school system is thinking of lifting the ban on students from carrying cell phones on their person, while on the school's grounds.

Read about LIFTING BAN ON CELLS here.

Personally, I think that the ban SHOULD be lifted. Superintendent, Dr. McKendrick is correct, as is Heritage High's Principal. There are too many students in today's world that carry cell phones. And it can be quite time consuming to pull each offender in to the Principal's office and confiscate the phones. They average 15 to 20 per day!

Time could be much more well-spent on other areas of running the schools. Like on bullying, creating a positive learning environment, and ensuring everyone's safety. As well as ensuring that the students are getting everything that they can from their classes.

Personally, I have no problems with High School, or even Middle (Junior) High School students carrying cell phones on their person. As long as the usage is before school starts, during lunch break, and after school's last bell rings.

If the student is caught using the phone (via texting or talking) while switching classes, during class, or any other time not deemed appropriate (say during a field trip), then confiscate the item until after school for the remainder of that day.

Then, if a secondary offense occurs with the phone, then confiscate to the parent. If a third offense with the phone happens, then I feel that the school has a right to confiscate and keep the phone until the end of the school year.

We live in a high-tech age more so now than ever before. Our children are using things that were mere dreams when our parents, and even we were growing up in our generation.

Computers for the home didn't even come out until the 1980's. Then, came the message recorder for phones, cordless phones, CD Players, and then, in the early to mid 1990's, finally came the first cell phone. And that has gotten smaller, sleeker, and more 'hide-able' since it's inception in to our world of communication options.

So, with that said, what are YOUR thoughts about kids in High School (or even Middle School) carrying Cell Phones in their backpacks, along with their books and pencils? Yay or nay? Why so?

More Information Sheds New & Disturbing Light On Killer & Her Victim.

All I can say is this....DISGUSTING!

How can ANYONE, be it a man or a *woman* do such horrific and horrendous things to a child?

Many people have already heard the story of the former Sunday School Teacher, Melissa Huckaby. She raped, tortured, and killed eight-year-old Sandra Cantu. Only to stuff the girl's lifeless body in to a suitcase and throw her in to an irrigation pond.

Now, Melissa Huckaby is trying her best to try and seemingly "get out of" and is trying to explain away her actions.

Of course, she is using the classic "I was raped as a child" and the "I had a rough childhood" excuses to try and gain sympathy.

To read more just click HERE.

I'm sorry, but I have no sympathy, nor compassion for this woman. What she had done to Sandra, who was her daughter's friend and playmate, and what she did AFTER killing the child out of guilt was nothing but showing how calculated and callous the woman TRULY is.

This is one case of Prison Without Possibility Of Parole I say I *do* like. Normally, I would say death penalty. But for some reason, I get more satisfaction in knowing that Ms. Huckaby will be forced to sit and think for the rest of her days, of the things she did to that poor, INNOCENT girl and knowing the guilt will rot her inside more so than the rotting inside a prison cell.

"Macabre", in my eyes doesn't even begin to describe the acts of torture this woman had performed against Sandra. Melissa Huckaby by all counts ranks right up there with the devil himself when it comes to evilness.