Weekend pictures

Today I am not thinking so I won't write creatively. I will just post some pictures.

Yesterday I was watering the plants in Jonesboro, when I noticed a lot of robins and a dove enjoying the birdbath I had just cleaned and refilled with water. Here is the dove. At least the birds are coming to see the developing garden.

This is a weeping willow that we have planted. It's hard to take a picture of a scrawny tree with little leaves against a green background...nothing showed up, so I got low to use the sky. I just wanted to show this tree because there is some trepidation by some people about us planting it. Seems the legend is that when it gets tall enough to shadow your grave you die. Well, from this picture, you can be sure that it is already tall enough to shade a grave, so hopefully we have bypassed the weeping willow death knell.

This flame azalea is great. It is supposed to be native, but I have not seen them in the woods in this area. I have seen them in the mountains of Tennessee. Come over soon if you want to see it in person.

This is columbine. These just sprout up in various places, and over the years I have herded most of them up to surround these stone foundations. They are one of my favorites, they move so freely in the wind. There are orange ones also, but their pictures were not in focus, so maybe next time. I like these muted more natural colors much better than the bright columbines you see at the nurseries nowadays. That's just me.

Pelosi and Reid Finally Show Their Strength

We finally have congressional leaders that have guts. Both Nancy Pelosi and Harry Reid have led their legislative bodies (the House of Representatives and the Senate) to pass a funding bill that requires the troops to begin withdrawing from Iraq, and to be out by 2008 ( the dates in the two bills are different). It’s about time, since the president has no clue as to how a war should be run. We should have known that when he began pulling forces from Afghanistan prematurely so he could go after Saddam.

Nancy boldly said, “On this very important matter, I would extend a hand of friendship to the president. Just to say to him, ‘Calm down with the threats, there’s a new congress in town. We respect your constitutional role; we want you to respect ours. We want this war to end.’ The American people have lost faith in this president’s conduct of the war; let’s see how we can work together. This war is diminishing the strength of our military, not honoring the commitment to our veterans and not holding the Iraqi government accountable. When the president says he want to veto this bill he says ‘I am vetoing accountability. Accountability of my own administration and of the Iraqi government. He says I forbid…veto, forbid, I forbid, accountability’.”

Nancy, you speak the truth!

And of course George Bush has promised to veto this bill, thus vetoing funding for the troops.

And Harry Reid says, “We have fulfilled our constitutional responsibilities,” and “We’ve spoken the words the American people wanted us to speak. There must be a change of direction in the war in Iraq, the civil war in Iraq.”

The Senate and the House have held together and done what we’ve done,” he told reporters. “It’s now in his corner to do what he wants to do.”

On Wednesday, together they had sent the president a letter that read "This Congress is taking the responsible course and responding to needs that have been ignored by your administration and the prior Congress."

Maybe they aren’t wimps after all. Of course our own senators voted against the bill. Richard Shelby said, “It is the wrong message at the wrong time, surely this will embolden the enemy, it will not help our troops in any way.”

Let me ask Richard the same question I wanted to ask a radio host yesterday who was critical of the impending vote who said we would be giving the enemy the date we were leaving. Who is the enemy? When we invaded, I thought the enemy was Saddam. But he was soon captured, and has since been executed. So who is the enemy? Is it the Shiites? No. Or the Sunnis? Well? After all, they are fighting each other. You know, our “ally” King Abdullah of Saudi Arabia said this week “In beloved Iraq, blood is flowing between brothers, in the shadow of an illegitimate foreign occupation, and abhorrent sectarianism threatens a civil war."


So our strongest ally says our presence is an illegal occupation, I guess because it looks to them like we are supporting the wrong side.

To make things even more interesting, at the two day meeting in Riyadh, the Saudis admitted an Israeli reporter traveling with the United Nations. This is the first Israeli reporter allowed in the Muslim kingdom. Wow!

Come to Africam. Always live, always wild. Right now there are zebras. You have to sit through an Orbitz ad, then its a live cam sometimes of a watering hole, sometimes of the savannah. http://www.africam.com/nkhoro_cam1.php.

And if you haven't read Jason's comment on yesterday's blog, take a look.

Birmingham: She's fallen and she can't get up.

Let me start by saying that I am really disappointed in aol email. I type in one address and the rest as blind carbon copies, and sometimes they just send it all as regular carbon copies. So this is an apology for what seems like mass carbons. They should be blind copies (and are on most days).

Yesterday’s post regarding the Birmingham resolution for inclusiveness that failed is the most popular blog posting I have done. And if email (local and from across the country) is any indication, it is an issue that people care deeply about. They are concerned about Birmingham’s image, and they are concerned about basic rights and safety for those of us who live in the area.

Most important is that when things like this happen people realize that change is not ineveitable, that even when we feel that we are progressing, unexpected turns may occur. That is not a time to run and hide, rather it makes us realize that we need to press on. And possibly those who have been complacent will be awakened and realize they need to become part of the process. Maybe they need to contact their representatives, or talk to their neighbors, to educate them about the issues of equality and justice. We can all do more.

I heard from people across town and across the country, and abroad, seeking direction or offering encouragement. Remember when I started this blog I said Bessemer was ready for change, and I think Birmingham is too. Mayor Kincaid said he was ready to sign this resolution and that Birmingham needed it. Well, he is right, but Bessemer needs it too. This resolution was not just about sexual orientation, as Ms. Witherspoon would have us to believe. It was about inclusion. And about not discriminating because of age, color, disability, religion, sexual orientation, gender. Birmingham councilors would have you believe that race is the only type of discrimination that matters. It’s hard to imagine that a council person who is black and uses a wheelchair would speak so vehemently against this resolution and vote against it. But that is what happened.

People who are local and who are from other states, who are gay and who are straight, and who are white and who are of color, have said that this, once again, gives people across the nation (and the world, if readers of this blog are any indication) a bad impression of Birmingham. And they are right. They realize that you don't have to be gay, or disabled, or a minority, to believe that people should be treated with respect. You don't even have to "agree" with them to accept that their lives have value, and that they should be included in the broad quilt of diversity that make up the human race. Birmingham has fallen, and she can’t get up! Not without your help. Please read Jason's comment below. That is one way to help!

The Lady Banks Rose is in full bloom now.

This large azalea is in the back yard.

The side of the house with dogwoods and azaleas.

Birmingham "Falls Flat On Its Face"

I closed my last post with a question: “Will Birmingham make history today?” I had high expectations that they would. But the answer is a resounding “NO” in that Birmingham has chosen to hold on to its ugly history. By voting down a resolution to join a growing number of communities designated as “inclusive communities” by the National League of Cities, Birmingham has re-established itself as a leader in intolerance, exclusion, bigotry and hatred.

I sat with Patricia Todd during the meeting, and she, too, expected the measure to pass. She was called to the lectern to speak after the resolution was introduced, and spoke of how the resolution was needed because, for example, in Birmingham one can be fired from their job just because they are gay, regardless of the quality of their work. In fact, she shared that this had happened to her.

I was growing up during the civil rights movement in a suburb of Birmingham, but that was close enough to be profoundly affected by the manifestation of hatred and intolerance that were openly displayed 50 years ago. I was hopeful that we had as a community outgrown those attitudes of the past(and I know that I do not currently live in Birmingham, but in another suburb, yet we all try to look to Birmingham as a leader). Our neighbor to the east, “The City Too Busy To Hate,” has prospered over the years, avoiding the awful scenes of racial strife that Birmingham is known for. Atlanta has prospered over the years, and some would say that in Birmingham we live in its shadow, and we see businesses and industry and residents leaving. We have become “The City Too Hateful To Be Busy.” We are not busy, we sit idle, a stagnant community, holding on to the hateful attitudes of the past. But directing hatred at people of another color is no longer fashionable, so instead our current leaders, well, some of them, direct their hatred at gays and lesbians.

Miriam Witherspoon seemed to believe that until the problems of racism were solved, that no other issue of intolerance should be addressed. And she was very vocal in reminding us that that a resolution can not change people’s hearts. But she was wrong in her assertion that until hearts are changed, and all are in accord, that a resolution is meaningless. Quite the contrary, the city
leaders could have passed the resolution, and then use it to lead the populace into a greater understanding of the issues and problems that lesbians and gays face.
But that would require leadership.





There was a claim put forth that the constitution and the Birmingham Pledge already cover the issue and that the resolution is “redundant”. No, sexual orientation is not a protected class in the constitution or under any federal law. However, if those who hold the constitution so dear (and we all should) would look a little further back in history to our Declaration of Independence, they would see that our country’s fight for freedom was based on the assertion that “All men are created equal,” and that we are all granted “certain unalienable rights” including “life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness.” Our country decided decades ago that this was not just for the whites, so we granted equal rights to blacks. Now our city has decided that equality only belongs to the straights.

As for the Birmingham Pledge, as strong as it is, it only addresses race. As many times as I have been encouraged to sign it, I have refused, because it does not address discrimination based on age, gender, religion, ability or lack thereof, or sexual orientation. So no, the Birmingham Pledge does not address the same issues as the Resolution, which addressed all the issues listed above.

A couple of years ago Patricia Todd sat in on a legislative committee meeting about book banning and when she spoke she asked why the legislators (who had already spoken) hated her. She could hear the hatred in their voice and had seen the hatred expressed in their votes over the years. Until Tuesday I did not fully understand what she meant. Now I do.



Joel Montgomery, who raised his eyebrows as the resolution was being read and grinned and made conniving eye contact with an unknown audience member, followed by his raised voice as he voted against the resolution, showed hatred. Mr. Montgomery needs to be replaced in the next election. Ms. Witherspoon’s histrionics and the sparks in her eyes as she put forth her misinformation showed hatred. She also needs to be replaced.


Steve Hoyt and Roderick Royal were more reserved, but Hoyt’s shift of the issue from one of inclusiveness to supposed political motives,
and Royal’s attempt to delay the vote indefinitely by referring to committee (not knowing what committee, just any committee) were just thin, thin veils shrouding the hatred in their hearts. So yes, now I know how it feels to sit in a room and hear in person the hatred that sometimes comes from city officials. Bull Conner would be proud. Hoyt and Royal need to be replaced.



Valerie Abbott said afterward that Birmingham had a chance to do something really progressive and “fell flat on their face.” How true. The city is the same Birmingham we had in 1957, and in 1963. Is it going to take a bigger tragedy (remember Billy Jack Gaither… and yes, I know he was not in Birmingham when he was murdered) before our leaders understand that hatred doesn’t stop with color?

Yes, Birmingham missed an opportunity to say to the world, we have just taken a huge step forward. Instead, Birmingham has told the world that we had problems in the 1960’s and we have learned nothing from it. We have not overcome intolerance and bigotry. We have not followed the teaching of Martin Luther King, Jr., who said “Injustice anywhere is a threat to justice everywhere.” And the leaders in Birmingham who in part owe their freedoms to the many gays and lesbians who marched for civil rights (including Bayard Rustin, one of Kings closest advisors) hand in hand with their black brethren in Selma and other cities are a disgrace to the legacy of Dr. King and his wife, Coretta Scott King, who was a strong advocate for inclusion.

Instead, Birmingham took this opportunity to tell the world of first class leaders, educators, researchers and professionals, that if you are gay, we don’t want you. Birmingham told the CEO’s of the world that if your corporation embraces diversity, then we don’t want your headquarters or your business here. (learn which companies embrace diversity here: http://www.hrc.org/Template.cfm?Section=Search_the_Database&Template=/CustomSource/WorkNet/srch.cfm&searchtypeid=1&searchSubTypeID=2.) Birmingham told college graduates that if you want to begin your career in a city that embraces diversity and offers all the talent and creativity that multiculturalism brings, then we don’t need you to move here. And Birmingham told its own young people, if you want to raise your family in a community that respects all people and protects them as well, then you need to leave.

Birmingham has been in slow decline for decades (I know there are bright spots like UAB) and we are still seeing businesses and residents leave. Until Birmingham learns to accept and appreciate the efforts of ALL its citizens, this decline will continue. In fact, Birmingham does not deserve to prosper, and to be revived, until it does. But those of us who live in and around the Magic City and still want to be able to look to Birmingham for leadership in the state, will continue the fight. Maybe, with a little Birmingham magic, we can someday become like Selma, Aliceville, Talladega, Valley and Mobile; communities in our state that are named on the National League of Cities web site as “Inclusive Communities.” http://www.nlc.org/resources_for_cities/programs___services/7952.aspx

I suggest we begin right now to look for replacements for Miriam Witherspoon, Roderick Royal, Joel Montgomery and Steven Hoyt.
And lets be thankful for fair minded women who support equality, Ms. Abbott, Carol Duncan and council president Carole Smitherman.

Bill Clinton Returns !

This past weekend we saw Cirque Du Soleil’s Delirium at the BJCC in Birmingham. Part musical, part concert, and part circus, the performance can only be described as weird. In a good way. The story is the main character’s dream (a key element I did not realize until I later read a review) so I guess the possibilities are unlimited. I mean, add a trapeze artist and some acrobatics and hula hoops and even my dreams could be turned in to an entertaining show.


Why can’t people just accept John and Elizabeth’s statement that they can and will continue this campaign without trying to second guess their decision? These are strong people; they have suffered through tragedy, and are well educated and understand her prognosis and are aware of what may happen. Unexpected things and adversity can happen to anyone at any time, and a lot can be told about someone by how they handle such situations. Don’t we want someone to lead our country who can remain calm when facing adversity? Then to criticize someone when they actually show these qualities does not make sense. Oh, this is not an endorsement of John Edward’s candidacy.




President Bill Clinton will be the guest speaker at the Alabama Democratic Party's annual Jefferson Jackson dinner. The Dinner will be held on Friday, April 20th at 6:30 at the old HealthSouth conference center (that reception hall has a new name, but I can't remember it). Tickets are going fast, according to party chairman Joe Turhham. The ticket price is $150 a person. Go to the Alabama Democratic Party site for more information: http://aladems.org/.





Will Birmingham make history today? Stay tuned.

The Alabama Capitol and Free Rosetta Stone

Saturday we had a good day at Jonesboro, and established the initial planting of the Jonesboro Community Garden. It’s a little odd to see shrubs and young trees scattered across the vacant lot, but soon the areas will be mulched and a walking path established, trellises will be built, and during the summer a gazebo is going to be built by the Lawson State folks. Our city council person Earl Cochran joined in, along with neighbors and Bessemer Historical Homeowners Association members. Here Earl and Adam are digging holes.


Now we need some rain. Linda, I know you do a snow dance…can you do a rain dance?


Looks like my relatives are good supervisors. Actually, everyone did their share.













Free Garden Tour. Speaking of gardens, Alabama First Lady Patsy Riley has worked on beautifying the grounds of the state capitol in Montgomery. The building was restored 10 years ago, but nothing much has been to the grounds until she undertook the project, planting (or having it done) hundreds of bulbs, azaleas and roses.

Free tours of the grounds and the 1853 building will be next Saturday and Sunday from 1 to 4 pm. Experts will be available on the Monroe Street side at 2 pm each day to give special presentations on the landscaping. Tours will begin every half hour at the Union Street entrance. These tours are replacing the annual Governors Mansion Spring Garden Tour because now the mansion is undergoing renovation.

For more information see www.800Alabama.com, or call 800 252-2262.

For those of you who can not make the tour, but would like to see what the capitol looks like, here is a pictorial tour by the Alabama Historical Commission:
http://www.preserveala.org/capitoltour.htm

You will notice that the virtual tour says “from 1846”. The first building in Montgomery burned, and this one was built in 1853.



We cleaned our fountain yesterday…the water had gotten kind of icky, and I have never seen so many happy robins. There were at least 4 that kept flying to the edge to drink, and would try to figure out a way to bathe. One (maybe more, I couldn’t really tell them apart) finally perched on the edge of the top tier, and realized she could jump in the shallow water and bathe without getting splashed like happened below. They had not been bathing in the yucky water. Here’s a shot of the fountain at night.



Some of you were here in December and saw the fountain in its frozen state.

Free Language Instruction

The Jefferson County Library System is offering the Rosetta Stone foreign language program for FREE online. Bessemer is one of the 9 (out of 18) funding libraries for this, but the program is available to anyone who has a Jefferson County Library Card. Twenty nine languages are available, including Spanish, Arabic, Mandarin, Swahili and Vietnamese. For the complete list, and to sign up, visit www.jclc.org. There is a Rosetta Stone button on their home page. The program is only funded for a year, so get started. And encourage the libraries to continue the free service. Voy a volver a aprender mi español de la High School secundaria.

Speaking of birds, here’s an interesting story, a little something to put things in perspective. An article in National Geographic several years ago provided an interesting picture of God's wings. After a forest fire in Yellowstone National Park, forest rangers began their trek up a mountain to assess the inferno's damage.One ranger found a bird literally petrified in ashes, perched statuesque on the ground at the base of a tree. Somewhat sickened by the eerie sight, he knocked over the bird with a stick. When he gently struck it, three tiny chicks scurried from under their dead mother's wings. The loving mother, keenly aware of impending disaster, had carried her offspring to the base of the tree and had gathered them under her wings, instinctively knowing that the toxic smoke would rise. She could have flown to safety but had refused to abandon her babies. When the blaze had arrived and the heat had scorched her small body, the mother had remained steadfast. Because she had been willing to die, so those under the cover of her wings would live. "He will cover you with his feathers, and under his wings you will find refuge." (Psalm 91:4)

Blooming

Today is gardening day at Jonesboro, so I am just going to post these pictures of what is blooming this morning at the house. Come join us (see Thursday's post for details).


I did not plant this, but it shows up each spring. I never did take the time to identify it. Who knows?









Wisteria grows all over the back yard. It smells great and looks beautiful, but creates a mess of seeds and husks in the fall, and sprouts up and spreads everywhere.











We just have a few tulips here and there.
















This is a double flowering dwarf almond.
















These are late bloomers, just opened up a day or two ago.

Riley says Slow Down, Edwards Upbeat

Yesterday we learned that Elizabeth Edwards, the wife of presidential candidate John Edwards, has a reoccurrence of her breast cancer that was announced just after the last presidential election.


While they thought after her treatment that her condition was cured, her cancer has now spread to her rib, the bones being one of the most common sites for this type of cancer to spread, and once in the bone, it is considered incurable. It is treatable, however, and both John and Elizabeth stress that it will be treated and I wish both of them the best, and strength, as they go through this.



They also both affirm that the campaign should and will go on.






Last week I did my PSA on Colon health, so today I will address breast cancer. Some of this information comes from a course I am taking, and some comes from the CDC web site.

Breast cancer is the MOST common cancer in women.

It is the second most common cause of death from cancer among women (lung cancer is the first).

In 2003, 181,646 women developed breast cancer and 41,619 died from it.

Men can develop breast cancer also. In 2003 1,826 men developed breast cancer and 379 men died from it.

2003 is the most recent year for which numbers are available.

Risk factors include:

Getting older
Having your first menstrual cycle at a younger age.
Starting menopause at an older age.
Being older at the birth of your first child.
Never giving birth.
Not breastfeeding.
Personal history of breast disease.
Family history of breast cancer.
Treatment with radiation to the breast/chest.
Long term use of hormone therapy.
Having changes in the BRCA1 or BRCA2 gene.
Using birth control pills.
Drinking alcohol (more than one drink a day).
Not getting regular exercise.

Just as colonoscopies and eating right reduce your risk of colon cancer, there are things you can do to reduce your risk of breast cancer.

Control your weight, and exercise.
Know your family history of breast cancer.
Find out the risks and benefits of hormone replacement therapy, and birth control pills.
Limit the amount of alcohol you drink.
Get screened regularly. Screening includes self exams and clinical exams and mammograms. Mammograms are by far the most effective screening tool to reduce incidence and death from breast cancer.

For more information visit http://www.cdc.gov/cancer/breast/, or
http://www.nci.nih.gov/cancertopics/pdq/prevention/breast/patient/, or
http://cms.komen.org/komen/index.htm


50 miles per hour. That is the new speed limit on downtown Birmingham’s interstates, ordered by Governor Riley. Will the drivers slow down from 75, uh, I mean 60, the current speed limit. Auto drivers are having to change their behavior because trucks can not secure their loads.





Auburn News:
The previously mentioned Auburn Tiger women’s basketball team moved a step closer to the NIT title by beating Virginia Tech yesterday.

Also, a big welcome to Jay Gouge as the 18th president of Auburn University. It’s interesting to have someone whose background, including a bachelor’s and master’s from Auburn, and a PhD from Michigan State, is in horticulture! I bet it was those flower beds that decorate the corners of the football stadium that attracted him.

Garden Work Day and Episcopal Inclusion

There will be a Garden Work Day at Jonesboro Community Garden on Saturday from 8 to 2. The garden will be at the corner of Owen Avenue and Wellington Street in Bessemer. We will be planting a wealth of shrubs and flowers and plants, creating a walking trail, installing benches and more. Please bring gardening gloves, shovels, picks, post-hole diggers, wheel barrows and whatever.

Also, Bobby and I will be cooking hotdogs for everyone. Remember the fun day and good dogs we had at this site last summer. Well, no volleyball this time, but later on in the summer? Who’s in?

The site is a vacant lot today, where a school building and school yard used to be. For those of you not from around here, I will post pictures of the garden as we progress.

Thanks to Vulcan Material Company Foundation for supporting this project in a big way, and thanks to Lawson State and the Bessemer Board of Education, and the City of Bessemer. And thanks especially to the Bessemer Historical Homeowners Association and Erica Young in particular, for leading this effort.

A few weeks ago I wrote about the Episcopal Church and Presiding Bishop Katherine Jefferts Schori’s predicament regarding the ultimatum put forth by the conservative Anglican bishops to cease confirming openly gay bishops and to not bless same sex unions. Episcopal Bishops rejected this ultimatum and affirmed their support for gays, and rejected a key demand that they give up some of their authority to theological conservatives outside the U.S. church.

The bishops released a message yesterday, part of which said, “Finally, we believe that the leaders of the Church must always hold basic human rights and the dignity of every human being as fundamental concerns in our witness for Christ. We were, therefore, concerned that while the Communiqué focuses on homosexuality, it ignores the pressing issues of violence against gay and lesbian people around the world, and the criminalization of homosexual behavior in many nations of the world.”

The fact that the dissenting bishops are focusing on the way people are created rather than how those people are treated bring this verse (Titus 3: 9-11) to mind:

But avoid foolish controversies and genealogies and arguments and quarrels about the law, because these are unprofitable and useless. Warn a divisive person once, and then warn him a second time. After that, have nothing to do with him. You may be sure that such a man is warped and sinful; he is self-condemned.

My tip of the bishop’s hat today goes to the Episcopal Bishops who are standing up with integrity and strength against the bullying bishops of the minority. And who are more interested in continuing to do the work of ministering to those in need rather than judging and excluding part of the church community.

And speaking of inclusion, the Birmingham City Council is set to adopt (hopefully) a resolution next week affirming the inclusive policy of the city and celebrating its diversity. The resolution condemns racism and homophobia, and calls for swift investigation of acts against people on the basis of race and sexuality. This resolution is being introduced by Valerie Abbot and is sponsored in part by Equality Alabama and the National League of Cities and their “Partnership For Working Toward Inclusive Communities.” If you are interested in reading the entire resolution email me and I will forward it to you.

To support this effort show up at 9:30 am on March 27 at the City of Birmingham City Council chambers, third floor of city hall, 710 North 20th Street.

Would this type of initiative fly in Bessemer? Let's find out.

Now it really IS Spring

It is hard to get agreement on anything. The weather channel reported all day yesterday that it was the first day of spring. I guess today is the first full day of spring. anyway, Happy Spring!

Did you know the United States Postal Service is trying to change the way we receive our mail. Well, probably not most of us, but they are making an effort for change in new subdivisions, proposing that mailboxes be confined to one side of the road. This would mean that half the residents would have to cross the street to retrieve their mail from a box in a neighbor’s yard. And some people might have two or three or more mailboxes in front of their house. Is this what they want?

The USPS argues that this would streamline postal delivery and cut down on costs. But many, me included, think that the change poses a safety risk, especially for children who may be sent to get the mail. In addition, aesthetically it is bad. Visit www.savemymailbox.com for more information, and to sign an online petition.

While on the subject, postal rates are going up in May to 41 cents. And now they will be selling “forever stamps.” These stamps will always be valid not matter how much rates increase. So do we buy a zillion of them before the next increase? Or do we sit down and figure how many stamps we will use over what period of time versus the likely periodic increases to see at what point it ceases to be to our advantage to stock up on stamps? Or just pay more bills on line, send more emails and faxes instead of letters, and hardly use any stamps at all?

Our state legislators voted themselves a 62% raise yesterday, overriding Governor Riley’s veto earlier in the day. Newly elected representative Patricia Todd of Birmingham voted against the raise, after considering it, saying “A lot of people in my district live in poverty. I could not in good conscience vote for myself a pay raise.” Bessemer representative Priscilla Dunn voted for the raise. I guess she has a different view of her constituents and poverty in her district. Our senator E. B. McClain also voted for the raise.

And speaking of the governor, he invited 100 company executives to Alabama to go turkey hunting in an effort to promote Alabama. The hunters were paired with Alabama landowners (at least Dick Cheney wasn’t invited…watch out!) in an effort to, as Riley indicated, help dispel whatever myths people might hold about Alabama and its people.
Now really, stop laughing. Doesn’t this just reinforce the image people have about our state? And for those who have been holding their breath waiting for work to begin on the library expansion in Bessemer, exhale. One of the first votes I cast in Bessemer was to increase property taxes to help bail our schools out (5 mills) and for library expansion (3-1/2 mills). I hope they have saved all the money generated; the low bid was 4.6 million. The Birmingham News reports the tax generates at least half a million a year, so they can almost pay cash for it. I mean, what’s a million dollars? The library board could never reach an agreement with First Baptist Church about parking (no surprise there) but now that the Foundry owns the former church that has been worked out. Ground breaking may be this month!

Finally, why can’t Karl Rove testify under oath? Do “they” think its OK to lie, when not under oath? Do we think Rove would tell the truth even if he were under oath? We went through this before during the Valerie Plame investigation. Republicans just don’t like taking an oath to tell the truth, do they?


















These horses are made out of driftwood, by artist Heather Jansch of the Westcountry of England. Her website is http://www.jansch.freeserve.co.uk/index.htm

Has Spring Sprung?

Tomorrow is the first day of spring, according to the calendar.

But we don’t need a calendar to tell us spring is almost here. All we need to see are the redbud trees blooming. Driving along highways or residential streets, or looking in one’s own yard, the distinct pink color of the redbud flowers is unmistakable.
.

This young tree was about three feet tall when I moved here in 2000. Three years ago it produced its first blooms, and now, about 15 feet tall, you can see it is covered in blooms. And it just happens to be in the perfect spot in our yard.

Nearby is my little Japanese Garden, there is a hint of spring there, as these miniature irises are sprouting up around the pagoda.











Another indicator of spring, and of the roses that will soon be blooming, is the Lady Banks Rose, which is the earliest rose to bloom, at least in my yard. This one is the yellow variety, and in a couple of weeks I will be posting a picture of the entire plant in bloom, I hope. But for now, there are just a couple of early birds already opening. Here’s a close-up.

If you want to see a big and beautiful Lady Banks Rose go to the Birmingham Botanical Gardens in about 2 weeks. I guess that when mine is blooming, that will be the time to go, and I will let you know.

There are also azaleas beginning to bloom, and dogwoods with little blooms that soon will be full sized, but their pictures will come later.

As you drive through your neighborhoods, look for these early signs of spring. Each day will bring more color, and new life, to our yards and parks. It just makes you want to get outside and dig in the dirt, doesn’t it.

Here is a question for those who live on or near Dartmouth Avenue:

Why can’t the city designate a “truck route” coming from Lipscomb on Dartmouth Avenue, at Carolina Terrace, to Carolina Avenue, all the way to 14th Street or Highway 150?

On this map, where the star is, is the intersection of Carolina Terrace and Dartmouth. (Don’t follow the “brown” line…that was on there when I copied the map).

Doing this would keep those noisy and dangerous trucks off of the residential street Dartmouth Avenue, and send them down the mainly commercial street Carolina. Bus routes would not have to change, and of course emergency vehicles and fire trucks would still use Dartmouth. Earl, are you listening? This is your street.

Tired of War (and posts about war)?

Well I am. I was tired of this war before it started. But today marks a milestone, the 4th anniverary of the invasion of Iraq. Nothiing more needs to be said if you have checked out Ava Lowery's site, www.peacetakescourage.com.


But just in case you didn't look, here is a video created by 16 year old Ava, called "California Dreaming." Remember Ann Coulter talking about Iraq? "Basically, um, it is like California with Bagdad as LA..." Every time she opens her mouth, she loses credibility. Good thing we have freedom of speech here, Ann. http://www.peacetakescourage.com/index2.php?subaction=showcomments&id=1171045569&archive=&start_from=&ucat=&page=blog



And for those who really can't get enough, here are the death threats that Ava received when she was just 15 years old, for expressing her opinion. http://www.progressive.org/mag_mc042406


Ava contacted me yesterday and thanked me. I should be thanking her. Her site got over a million hits a month during recent months.


I want to apologize. I neglected to mention the AUBURN TIGERS women's basketball team when I said no teams from the state made the NCAA tournament. Well, they didn't make the NCAA but they are in the NIT, and beat UAB yesterday. They play Virginia Tech on Tuesday.

And how about the Auburn Men's and Women's Swimming and Diving Teams. National Champions (again). Five in a row for the men. And two in a row, and five out of the last six for the women!

Cesar Cileo was named NCAA

division 1 men's swimmer of

the year.

Steven Segerlin was named NCAA

divison 1 men's diver of the year.

War Eagle!!! That is an acceptable type of "war."

Tomorrow, I promise (unless something noteworthy happens) I will not write of war or scoundrels in Washington. Spring is approaching.

March Madness, and WWJD

There is no excuse for Xavier losing an 11 point lead with just a few minutes to go, and allowing Ohio State to come back and win in overtime. March Madness. And NCAA tournament with no Alabama teams. No Auburn. No Alabama. No UAB. No USA. No any other college. March Madness.

And there is no sense in going to war 4 years ago in March 2003. March Madness. Being hoodwinked by Bush and his faulty intelligence now known as manipulated intelligence. If I were running for president I could truthfully claim that I was against this war from the beginning. It was unjust. It was un-biblical. It was unprecedented. It was unnecessary. It was March Madness.

We call ourselves a civilized society, but does a truly civilized society go to war without cause? In fact, do they go to war at all? If a society is truly civilized, would they not use every means necessary to AVOID war? Apparently we are NOT a civilized society.

Monday is the 4th Anniversary of the invasion of Iraq.

Alabamians killed in Iraq: 52. Mostly young men. Dead in Iraq by State They left behind spouses, young children, and parents.

U.S. Dead in Iraq (confirmed by DOD): 3204 (on 3-17-07) Department of Defense List There are 12 more pending, maybe more by the time you read this.

Total wounded in Iraq: 23,417, or 32,544, depending on how you count. Iraq casualties Unfortunately, many, if not most of these, have had their life altered in ways we can not imagine. Some unbelievably were treated at Walter Reed Army Medical Center, with substandard care and under inhumane conditions. This is how we treat those who are serving their country.

(Remember, others serve their country in clandestine ways, as operatives for the CIA. And how do we honor them? By outing them? Valerie Plame could not believe that she was identified as a covert agent by her own government. But I digress.)

Peace Takes Courage

Ava Lowery is a 16 year old high school student from Mobile, AL whose web site, Peace Takes Courage, gives clear insight in to the war in Iraq and the Bush administration. Amy has been featured on CNN and her piece "WWJD" garnered death threats from Bush supporters. How ironic that those who supposedly support an effort to guarantee free speech in a foreign land by forcing democracy on a nation, would threaten to silence free speech in their own country. But one only has to recall Natalie Maines and the Dixie Chicks, who also received death threats after expressing their views. What kind of democracy do these people really want?

Ava’s site has received over 1 million hits a month for several of the last few months. Add a few more. She is a patriot.

Watch Ava’s montage: “WWJD”

Please visit her site and explore. Really, if you can stand it, watch some of the video’s she has produced. Read the blogs. And they want to kill a 16 year old girl who wants peace. Click on “About” to read about Ava. Click on the videos to the left, under “Updates.”
Ava’s web site: http://www.peacetakescourage.com/page-home.htm


Remember, there is a candlelight vigil Monday at 5:30 at 5 Points South in Birmingham. The service members who have been lost will be honored. Options for the future will be discussed. Disclaimer: I have a midterm at 5:30 on Monday and will not be able to attend.

We can support our troops by bringing them home!


And for later:
Check out the Dixie Chicks Movie here:

http://www.dixiechicks.com/06_dcmovie.asp

St. Patrick (Fitzgerald)

Happy St. Patrick’s Day.

No green beer here, but we might enjoy some steak and biscuits. Remember how good those were at Ireland’s Restaurant near Brookwood Mall? Anyway, here is St. Patrick casting out the snakes. Legend says that the man who brought Christianity to Ireland also drove all the snakes from the country, although we know that post-glacial Ireland has never had snakes. Patrick used the shamrock to explain the Trinity, the concept of God existing in three persons.

Maybe we should canonize our own St Patrick, U. S. Special Counsel Patrick Fitzgerald, whose efforts are helping to drive the snakes out of Washington. George Bush, Dick Cheney, Alberto Gonzales, Karl Rove. The list goes on and on. Valerie Plame testified yesterday before the House Committee on Oversight and Government Reform about how her outing as an undercover CIA agent was “purely political”, and she showed us the harm it caused her and the danger it put many other people in. The committee is considering changes in the way the government handles information about CIA employees. Not surprisingly, Rep. Thomas Davis III of Virginia, the ranking republican on the committee, tried to label the hearing as meaningless. There are 17 republicans on the committee, and only 2 showed up for the hearing.

If there is one thing the administration might be pleased with, in their twisted way, it’s that Plame’s testimony takes our attention away from General Pace’s comments, which took our attention away from the firing of federal prosecutors, which took our attention away from the Walter Reed Hospital scandal, which….well, you get the picture. But remember, "The masses are not asses. They will figure it out."

OK I made my chocolate chip cookies yesterday, and here is proof. Anyone who calls and can come by today can have some, we don’t need to eat them all. But mmmmm, they are good.

CHIPS, CHiPS and chips

What do you think of when you hear the word “chips?”

Three things come to mind: Delectable Chocolate Chip Cookies, Erik Estrada on a motorcycle and the state’s insurance plan for uninsured children. I will touch on all three, starting with insurance. Part of my reason for this is that I have a midterm on Monday covering this, but it’s also good to know about programs in our state and how they affect us and our neighbors.

Nearly 20% of the uninsured Americans are children under the age of 19 and these 9 million children are more likely to lack a consistent source of health care, to go without needed health care, and to experience worse health outcomes than children who have health insurance.

The State Children’s Health Insurance Program (SCHIP, or CHIP) is a federal and state funded program developed to take care of uninsured children under title XXI of the Social Security Act. The program was created by the Balanced Budget Act (remember in the Clinton years we had balanced budgets and even created a surplus) of 1997, and allowed states to design their own programs to best meet their needs.

Alabama’s CHIP program is ALL Kids and is for uninsured children under the age of 19. It provides for well child checkups and immunizations, sick child care, prescriptions, vision and dental care, and enhanced care for children with special health care needs. The child must not be covered by other insurance or be eligible for Medicaid.

All Kids has helped Alabama to reduce the rate of uninsured kids by about 2/3, and has improved access and utilization for children’s health care in our state. Since September 1998, over 172,000 children in Alabama have been insured through All Kids.

Each state has flexibility in administering the program and Alabama’s program has helped our state to be ranked fairly high in the number of uninsured kids. The Robert Woods Johnson Foundation has recently released a report that shows that in Alabama 7.2% of children are uninsured. The range among states is 5.6% in Vermont to 20.3% in Texas, and Alabama ranks among the top 10 or so.

http://www.rwjf.org/portfolios/resources/chartsdata.jsp?iaid=132

Remember the TV show CHiPS? I won’t say much about it, but CHiPS stood for California Highway Patrol and aired from 1977 to 1983. Erik Estrada.

See I told you I wouldn’t say much. The picture says it all.

Bessemer has our own version of CHiPS. Bessemer police officer Ed Jones was recently interviewed in the Birmingham News. He is a motorcycle cop, working accidents, issuing citations and providing escorts. Officer Jones is quoted as saying “Black CHiPS. That’s what they call us, you hear that all the time.”

Finally, what you’ve been waiting on. Chocolate Chip Cookies. From Famous Amos to Chips Ahoy, but nothing beats home made.

Gwen Steege has written books on the chocolate chip cookie. Here is a recipe from one of her books:

MONA'S CHOCOLATE CHIP COOKIES

Mona B. Spencer, Vancouver WA

Whether you choose butter or margarine, Mona's recipe is sure to please. Remember that butter will make the cookies crisp, and margarine will make them cakey.

2 cups plus 4 tablespoons flour
1 teaspoon baking soda
1 teaspoon salt
1 cup granulated sugar
1/2 cup brown sugar, firmly packed
1 eggs
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
1 cup butter or margarine, softened until almost melted
12 ounces (2 cups) semi-sweet chocolate chips
2 cups coarsely chopped walnuts (optional)

1. Preheat the oven to 375F.
2. Sift the flour with the baking soda and salt. Add the sugars, eggs, vanilla, and butter or margarine, and beat with a wooden spoon until the mixture is smooth and well combined. Stir in the chocolate chips and nuts.
3. Drop by teaspoonfuls onto ungreased baking sheets, spacing cookies about 2 inches apart. Bake for 10 to 12 minutes, or until cookies are golden. Remove to wire racks to cool.
Yield: 4 Dozen

I’m heading for the kitchen right now!!!!

P.S.
A sad note, British actor John Inman passed away recently. Inman played Mr. Humphreys on the BBC hit comedy “Are You Being Served?” Inman leaves behind his partner of 35 years.

Clarifications and a quote from Karl Rove

One thing about putting information out there is that if inaccurate information is posted, I quickly receive new more accurate information. Yesterday’s post was one such case. I learned that McNeil Park was actually started by Andrew Bennett, the Park and Recreation Director. He and Herman Lehman wrote the grant that helped fund the park, and matching funds came not from the city but from the county, with help from Sheila Smoot and Mary Buckalew. So let’s tip our hat to Andrew and Herman.

And while on the subject of inaccurate information, Karl Rove was in our state yesterday speaking to students at Troy University. Let me quote him, “The masses are not asses. They will figure it out.”

Rove’s involvement in the firing of federal prosecutors? "The masses are not asses. They will figure it out."

Alberto Gonzales’ motives and role in the firing of federal prosecutors? "The masses are not asses. They will figure it out."
Dick Cheney’s role in the outing of CIA agent Valerie Plame and why Scooter Libby took the fall? "The masses are not asses. They will figure it out." We are not asses. We have figured it out. The three of you need to go.

Bessemer: A Fistful of Dollars

Continuing in the Clint Eastwood movie theme, money is what Bessemer will need: The Mayor of Bessemer is seeking approval of a bond issue ($5 to 8 million) to get our streets paved.


Mayor Ed May tried this last year, but the council voted it down deeming it a pre-election ploy. Our streets are in desperate need of paving. But is a bond issue the way to do it? I haven’t formed an opinion yet, because I don’t know what the terms of the bond issue will be. We certainly don’t want to be repaying bonds 12 years from now after the proposed repaving is obsolete in 10. Repaving only lasts a few years, and I am not sure all repaving efforts are of the same quality. So there are a lot of variables here. I will try to keep you posted.



This week’s tip of the hat goes to council person Jesse Matthews. Jesse was instrumental in getting the newly (almost) completed McNeil Park opened. Adults and children can use this park.


There is a playground area.

And a water play area.

And picnic tables provided by the Jefferson County Commission,
thanks to Commissioner Sheila Smoot.

Walking around the track I noticed this fruit tree blooming in an adjacent yard.

The park is located at 20th Ave and 13th St. Go by and take a look. And a walk. Thanks, Jesse.

Congratulations to Jess Lanier student Paula Montford for achieving the 2007 Girl Scout Gold Award. Paula is among twelve area girl scouts being recognized. She saw a need among health fairs to address health and safety issues among teenagers, and created a symposium that addressed spiritual health, nutrition and fitness, stress and depression and alcohol and drugs, smoking, safety and tattoos and piercings. The event was held at Sixth Avenue Baptist Church and was staffed by experts on the issues.

Coming soon to the Alys Stevens Center: hometown (Birmingham) Star Emmylou Harris. Will she bring MarkKnopfler with her? Click here to listen to “This is Us” by Emmylou and Mark. She is one of my long time favorites and I will certainly be there. The event is scheduled September 30.

http://www.hyfntrak.com/knopflerharris/nobuy/go.php

Actually you can listen to the whole cd "All the Roadrunning."



Also, there will be Candlelight Vigil at the fountain in Five Points South in Birmingham on March 19, 2007 to mark the anniversary of the Iraq War. The sacrifice of the more than 3000 soldiers who have given their life will be solemnly honored, and the path of the future contemplated. 5:30 pm. Sponsored by Birmingham Peace Project, Pax Christi, Birmingham One Corp and MoveOn.org. This is a nationwide event, come and take part.

Pace is off the Mark

The top U. S. military officer, Gen Peter Pace, was quoted yesterday by the Chicago Tribune as saying “"I believe that homosexual acts between individuals are immoral, and that we should not condone immoral acts. So the 'don't ask, don't tell' [policy] allows an individual to serve the country ... if we know about immoral acts, regardless of committed by who, then we have a responsibility.”

Pace was stating his opinion as the debate over the current “Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell” policy continues. The majority of Americans believe that homosexuals should be allowed to serve openly, and many retired and current military officials agree.

Two problems. First, according to many, adultery and even divorce, as described by Jesus, could be considered immoral. Pre-marital sex is also a common practice that many consider immoral. Should all divorced or sexually active applicants for the armed services be turned down? If their divorce or their extra-marital sex occurs during their service, should they be discharged? Some consider actions of "self pleasure" immoral. Soldiers, watch out.

Second, we often hear that our moral authority comes from the Ten Commandments. While homosexuality is not mentioned, killing certainly is. Is it not hypocritical for someone who makes their career based on war and killing to be making arguments based on morality? This is not the time to debate the morality of war or of this war in particular, but many religious leaders came out against this war in particular as being unjust and un-biblical. That would make the killing in this war, immoral.

According to the Servicemembers Legal Defense Network (http://www.sldn.org/templates/index.html) there are over 65,000 gay and lesbian troops now serving in our armed forces. From 1993 to 2005 there were 11,092 gay and lesbian service personnel dismissed. The cost for administering this policy has been reported to be between 200 million and 364 million dollars. The lower figure comes from the GAO (http://www.gao.gov/htext/d05299.html) and the higher figure from the Center for Study of Sexual Minorities in the Military. (http://www.gaymilitary.ucsb.edu)

What a waste of taxpayer dollars, and what a waste of qualified personnel. Oh, but this administration is not concerned about taxpayer dollars (other than returning them to the richest of the rich) or qualified personnel (from the top down).

This was life saving for me

Today I am going to address a subject that is icky for a lot of people. As you are reading this, I am either having a colonoscopy or recovering from it. This is my second. A colonoscopy can be a life saving event. Really and truly, the first one saved my life. Read on, my personal experince is down below. No, it’s not fun, and the prep time is just as bad as the procedure. First this.

March is National Colorectal Cancer Awareness Month. My doctor gave me a blue bracelet to remind me to get screened (I already had the appointment) but I am wearing it to remind me to tell others to do the same.

During National Colorectal Cancer Awareness Month, these important points about colorectal cancer are communicated:
Colorectal cancer can be prevented.
Screening for colorectal cancer can identify polyps - grape size growths in the colon and/or rectum. These can be removed to prevent cancer from ever occurring.
Starting at age 50, men and women who are at average risk for colorectal cancer should get screened. Men and women who have a higher risk of the disease may need to be tested earlier and should talk to their health care professional about when.
No matter what your age, know the risk factors, know the symptoms, know your family history.
Colorectal cancer is treatable.
Talk with your health care professional today.
Go to this site to learn more. On the left of the page are various topics and a FAQ link that will provide lots of information.

http://www.preventcancer.org/colorectal/facts/crc.cfm

If you are 50, or if you have a sibling or a parent who is 50, they need to know this.

My own experience

When I had my colonoscopy at age 50 two polyps were found and removed. Had I not had the procedure, by now, or in the not too distant future, I would most likely develop colon cancer. A friend of ours was not so lucky. Soon after my procedure, he had the same procedure for the first time. Colon cancer was discovered, and a few months ago he died. He was older than me, and had he been screened at age 50, he might still be alive today.
This is serious stuff. And it is one of the easiest cancers to prevent, by having this simple (well, sort of) procedure. Do your self, and your loved ones a favor. Get screened.

On a more positive note…I learned this week that I have been accepted in to the Masters Program in Epidemiology at the UAB School of Public Health. Of course, I am already taking some courses there, but now they can be applied to my degree.

Newt Gingrich and Red Efts

Newt Gingrich is squirming. He has to be as he tries to weasel his way out of hypocrisy. Yesterday in an interview with Focus on the Family founder James Dobson, Newt said “the honest answer is yes” when questioned about having an extra-marital affair during the time he was pursuing impeachment proceedings against Bill Clinton regarding his denial of such an affair under oath. Now I know some will immediately say the crime of Clinton leading to the impeachment mess was perjury, that Clinton’s lying about his relationship with Monica while under oath, was a felonious act and that what Gingrich did was not a felony, etc, etc. In fact, Gingrich himself is trying to weasel out of by saying “I drew a line in my mind that said, ‘Even though I run the risk of being deeply embarrassed, and even though at a purely personal level I am not rendering judgment on another human being, as a leader of the government trying to uphold the rule of law, I have no choice except to move forward and say that you cannot accept…perjury in your highest officials.” Gingrich says that he should not be viewed as a hypocrite.

Gingrich did not risk embarrassment; he was trying to find a way to embarrass the president and the Democratic Party. There are many of us who don’t spend a lot of time in the courtroom, and while we understand the difference between perjury and lying, in our mind they are the same. Just because one is not “under oath” does not make the telling of a lie, or living a lie, any less offensive, and any less a “sin” in the eyes of fair minded folks or of the one who wrote the commandment. Perjury just leads to a greater (usually) punishment and more publicity.

Rates for extra-marital affairs range from 14 to 55% of married women and 22 to 60% of married men. Probably 95% of those people would lie under oath about the affairs if they thought they could get away with it. Part of the reason might be that they are embarrassed, or they really know the affair was wrong and don’t want to hurt their spouse, but a big reason might also be out of respect for the other party.

I am NOT excusing those who cheat on their spouses, and I am NOT excusing the former president for having an affair or for being messy or for lying about it. But with so many married people doing it, and then add all the unmarried people who have sexual relations outside of marriage, and you have included a majority of the people in the country. Like it or not, this means that what the president did was not that unusual, by standards of behavior in the United States, and it also was not that big a deal, by the standards of national security and presidential business, and certainly not worth the time and energy our congressional leaders of the time spent investigating it.

The question is: Is Newt coming clean (or trying to) as a run up to a presidential bid in 2008? The conservatives are trying to find a candidate they feel comfortable supporting. Good luck!

Newts and Efts

Much more interesting is the life history of the Red Spotted Newt, a common relative of salamanders that is very common in Alabama. Newts have a complicated life cycle, hatching as aquatic larvae living in grassy pools of water and breathing through gills, metamorphing in to terrestrial “efts” that are air breathing juveniles.














They may remain as efts for up to seven years, or they may never mature, but most morph again into adults that live on land but return to the water at some point to reproduce and lay eggs.

Picture credit: http://www.uga.edu/srelherp/salamanders/notvir.htm

Here is an adult Red Spotted Newt.

Picture credit http://www.bio.umass.edu/biology/conn.river/newt.html

To confuse matters a little, some aquatic larvae never leave the water, and bypass the eft stage and remain gilled adults. Go figure. I had red efts in a terrarium as a college student, part of a project where we observed them shedding and eating their own skin for a herpetology class I was taking. I would bet that these critters are in the Watercress Darter National Wildlife Refuge habitat. I might go on a hunt, and will let you know what I find. We won’t take any critters from the refuge of course. We will only take pictures.

What do yall like best, the political stuff or the science stuff? Let me know.

Bessemer: The Good, The Bad, and the Ugly

Today I am just going to write about some issues here in Bessemer. I might start doing this on Thursdays each week, because both The Western Star and The Birmingham News West News arrive on Wednesdays. Before I forget, be sure and read the comment left on yesterday’s post (No News) by Jennifer, who is voicing her concern about go-carts on the streets. I live in the area she is referring to, and I have seen them too. One guy a couple of days ago was (actually) stopping at a stop sign and was using his foot on the asphalt to stop his vehicle. Didn’t the Flintstones do this? For their own safety, even if they are going to continue to break the law, they should put those flags on the go-carts so people in vehicles might see it out of the corner of their eye.

Here is the good. Being a student of science (again…literally) I was excited to read in both papers about the return of the science fair to Jess Lanier High School. My hat is off to anatomy and physiology teacher Harriet Westbrook who reintroduced the program. I remember two science projects in particular that I did in public school. One was a volcano made of different colors of modeling clay, representing the different layers of the earths crust. Part of it was cut away to show the layers. Also, we had a substance (I can’t remember what it was) that I could put down in the crater of the volcano and light, and it would smoke and spew and make a little lava flow. This was a long time ago, and probably you couldn’t get away with that now (using open flame and explosives), and probably I released toxins into the atmosphere of the lunchroom/auditorium that might still be affecting me now, but it was fun. I won’t bore you with the other project. 1000 Science Projects from A to Z was the book that I got a lot of ideas from when I was a kid. I wish I still had that book.

Congratulations to third place winner Trenton Hearns (9th Grade) whose project compared modern digital music players to older record players, second place finisher Shemarkus Johnson (10th Grade) who analyzed the microbes that live on our hands, and first place winner Rickey Brown (10th Grade) whose project explored water purification.

Included in science is biology and a part of the study of life is ornithology. A recent article in the Birmingham News brought to my attention conservation efforts that have made a city park in Roebuck a birdwatcher’s haven. The Great Backyard Bird Count was recently completed, and there are bird watchers here in Bessemer too. Twelve counters reported 30 species of birds and 1228 total birds. Of course this is just a small sample of the actual number of birds around, but it gives an idea of what we might see. View Bessemer’s bird counts here: http://gbbc.birdsource.org/gbbcApps/report?cmd=showReport&reportName=CitySummary&city=Bessemer&state=US-AL&year=2007

Another thing we have in Bessemer is a National Wildlife Refuge. Did you know? The Watercress Darter National Wildlife Refuge is just off Eastern Valley Road, and was created in 1980 and contains a pond known as Thomas Spring which is vital to the survival of the endangered Watercress Darter. The 23 acre refuge is managed by the Mountain Longleaf National Wildlife Refuge in Anniston. The web site is http://www.fws.gov/southeast/watercressdarter/index.html and here is the Watercress Darter.




The refuge is next to the McAdory house. There are no informational signs up yet, but there are improved paths for hiking and bird watching. Email me for directions.

By the way, the web site has not been updated and says the Refuge is managed by Wheeler National Wildlife Refuge.

Now for bad. This building is one block from my house. It has been abandoned for years, and why the thunderstorms and strong winds don’t finish it off I don’t know. The building was pictured on the front of The Western Star months ago, to try to draw attention, but I guess the right people have not seen it. Maybe they will see this picture.

Can we not just all get on one side and blow real hard?

One more thing. In case you don’t know, the Galleria Mall now has online shopping for its stores. The site is http://www.riverchasegalleria.com/html/index12.asp, and from there you can type in a product, for instance "Clark shoes", and find where they are sold, and in some cases what styles are available and can reserve them. Type in “Weather Radio” (which we all should have) and several options come up. Also is a listing of “Hot Stores” and information for “mall walkers” and various other things. Explore, shop, spend!

And this is the Ugly. I will close with a quote from The Western Star of March 7, 2007. In an editorial, owner Bob Tribble says, “And we as newspaper folks must protect the rights of those with whom we disagree as well as those whom we agree” (Jefferson Was Definitely A “Visionary”). If only the editor, Dale Jones, agreed.

No News Today

Most of you know I am in graduate school at UAB (that's University of Alabama Birmingham), and today I am preparing for a big test. Why not spend a few minutes posting comments on the posts below by clicking on the word "comments"? You can use your name, or be anonymous. Look for news of happenings in Bessemer sometime Thursday.

Joe

Coultergeist

Last night as I was driving home my satellite radio somehow landed on Fox News and I heard the grating voice of Ann Coulter defending the slur she used against Democratic presidential candidate John Edwards. At the Conservative Political Action Conference she said, “I was going to have a few comments on the other Democratic presidential candidate John Edwards, but it turns out you have to go into rehab if you use the word ‘faggot,’ so I — so kind of an impasse, can’t really talk about Edwards.” Coulter was referring to Grey’s anatomy’s star Isaiah Washington’s entrance into rehab (gayhab?) for using the word, first in describing fellow cast member T. R. Knight, then using the word again in denying that he used it in the first place. What? That’s not the first time Coulter has used that word to publicly describe democrats, she called Al Gore a “total fag” on Chris Matthew’s show “Hardball.”

Just as disturbing as Coulter’s use of the word, was the reaction of the conservative audience, laughing and applauding in approval of the use of a derogatory term to describe their rivals.

I quickly changed the station to Sirius Disorder but could not get Coulter’s voice out of my head. I fell asleep in the den and sometime during the night I woke up, I think, and noticed a faint glow from the TV set. I could hear faint static that slowly got louder, and thought I saw a little blond girl kneeling in front of the television, staring into it. “Hellooooo,” she whispered. “They’re here,” and her hands reached up to touch the screen. I could hear the voice of Ann Coulter cackling and as objects began sliding across the floor and through the air toward the door, I heard the squeaky voice of Tangina Barrons saying “I don’t know what hovers over this house. I’ve never sensed anything like it.”

Our home had been invaded by a Coultergeist, and as the battle to save little Carol Anne Freeling from Ann Coulter continued, I thought the whole house was going to disintegrate. “What’s happening” the older sister screamed, not understanding that a Coultergeist can invade the homes and minds of the innocent without warning. Be alert.

Just as quickly as it all began, it was over and the house returned to normal. I fell back asleep, but when I awoke this morning, I again heard the static coming from the TV, and also the faint cry of a little girl.

My apologies to Steven Spielberg and the cast of Poltergeist. I think I’ll rent that movie again.

From Selma Alabama to the White House

Sorry there have not been any exciting posts, but I have been working on the technical stuff. I finally have some pictures posted (of me, and of some daylilies) and I have indexed the blog so that it can be found on numerous search engines. Google "Bessemer" and progressive" or "Bessemer" and "opinion" and see if you get Bessemer Opinions. Let me know!

The big news from Alabama is that we had two presidential candidates, Barack Obama and Hillary Clinton (and Bill) in our state yesterday for the 42 anniversary of the Selma to Montgomery March for voting rights. Both candidates pointed out that because of that march, they (along with Bill Richardson according to Hillary) are able to run for president today. Reports are that Obama drew the larger crowd.

My congressman Artur Davis was there and he believes that Alabama will be more purple, maybe even blue in 2008. Could be, if the candidates keep coming to our early primary state, and if Bush keeps pushing the McCain doctrine...oops...I mean the Bush doctrine, of sending more troops to Iraq and hoping they are not needed elsewhere (or forgetting that they ARE needed elsewhere, like in Afghanistan where the Taliban showed us they are still a force to be taken seriously as they tried to "get" Dick Cheney).

Meanwhile America's mayor Rudy Giuliani is trying to figure out how to explain to the Christian Conservatives why he lived with two gay men, and why he married his second cousin Regina Peruggi and about being pro-choice. John McCain is trying to convince us ...well, I'm not sure what he's trying to say by courting the very conservatives that caused his defeat the last time he ran. And Mitt Romney is going to have to explain about the Native Americans being one of the Lost Tribes and about Jesus coming here to North America. But he can at least claim to be the only top tier Republican candidate that has only been married once. And he's the Morman! Go figure. And they say the Democrats are mixed up.

Christian conservatives are underwhelmed by their choices, as reported by the New York Times and printed in the Birmingham News. http://www.al.com/birminghamnews/stories/index.ssf?/base/news/117239524572970.xml&coll=2

The paper says they aren't thrilled with any of the candidates, and neither am I, but for different reasons. This group includes as one of its members James Dobson of Focus on the Family. Recently he had published an opinion piece in Time Magazine in which he criticized Mary Cheney (Dick's daughter) for her pregancy because she is a lesbian. http://www.time.com/time/magazine/article/0,9171,1568485,00.html .

His misuse of research and distortion of the truth is so blatant, that a web site has been created as a reference to dispute his claims. http://www.respectmyresearch.org/index1.html . Or you can find it at www.dobsonlies.com.


There are so many qualified Democrats running: Clinton, Edwards, Obama and Richardson. Any two would make a winning ticket, and in any order. I am not even going to start comparing the Democrats until we get closer to the primaries (and debates). But this campaign season is going to be fun, isn't it.

Who I would not like to be

One person I would not like to be is Katherine Jefferts Schori, the presiding bishop of the Episcopal Church. She has the unfortunate, but very important, task of leading the Episcopal Church through the debate that could end up seeing the church break away from the worldwide Anglican Fellowship over the role of gays and lesbians in the church. To her credit, Bishop Schori has been supportive of inclusive polices regarding gays and has said she does not support efforts to remove Bishop Gene Robinson, the openly gay Bishop from New Hampshire, from his post. Now the church faces an ultimatum from the Anglican leaders to unequivocally pledge not to consecrate another partnered gay bishop or authorize prayers for same sex couples. The Anglican Church of Nigeria, leading the way of religious intolerance, in 2006 issued a statement affirming their “commitment to the total rejection of the evil of homosexuality which is a perversion of human dignity…”

The Episcopal Church has a history of social justice, although at times having to play “catch up”, for instance, issuing a condemnation of the Ku Klux Klan in 1979 and declaring the practice of racism a sin in 1991. And they have been a leader in the inclusion of women in all roles in the church, culminating with the election of Schori last year as the first woman to ever hold the position of presiding bishop although there are still dioceses that do not allow women priests. So it is no surprise that the Episcopal Church would be a leader in the inclusion of homosexuals, nor is it a surprise that they can’t just put their foot down and say “No” to the Anglican demands. Episcopals are never quick to do anything, to make decisions, or to develop new policy. And maybe that is as it should be, to prevent knee-jerk decisions and pop-cultural influences.

But this issue has already been decided. In 2000 the Convention affirmed “the variety of human relationships in and outside of marriage,” and in 2006 affirmed “support of gay and lesbian persons and children of God.” In fact, way back in 1975 the Convention declared that homosexuals are “children of God” and are “entitled to full civil rights.” And of course in 2003 The Right Reverend Gene Robinson was consecrated as the first openly gay bishop in the Church.

And if policy is not enough, across the country gay and lesbian persons are serving in numerous positions in the church, from lay leaders to deacons to priests. If one looks at the work that these people do, and the results of their efforts, there is no doubt that God is blessing their work and is pleased with their inclusion. In fact, the very diocese that Robinson is leading continues to be blessed and to bless others. Would God continue to allow His blessings to flow forth from homosexuals if He was not pleased with their work?

Last night Schori led a webcast in which she addressed the issue of homosexuality and the church. Her call for “a season of fasting –from authorizing rites for blessing same sex unions and consecrating bishops in such unions” puts the brakes on full inclusion as she attempts to buy time for reconciliation. This is just putting off the inevitable. No one believes the Nigerians are going to reverse course from calling for criminalization of homosexuality to acceptance and full inclusion. And while Episcopals endure a season of fasting, gay and lesbian parishioners and friends are left hanging. They are the ones suffering, as they are being denied full inclusion and participation. Gene Robinson’s response to Schori’s webcast can be read at http://www.nhepiscopal.org/artman/publish/article_426.shtml. He points out that Jesus calls on the greater whole to sacrifice itself for those on the margins. He responds to her call for forbearance by wondering “ How will we explain this “forbearance” to all those gay and lesbian Christians who have come to The Episcopal Church because, for the first time ever, they have believed that there is a place for them AT God’s table, not simply BENEATH it, hoping for fallen scraps? Are THEIR souls not worthy of salvation too? Does anyone relish the notion of trying to explain all this “forbearance” to GOD?”

1995 was The International Year of Tolerance and that year I was asked to submit a Lenten Devotion for a booklet my church was printing. What I said yesterday about tolerance not withstanding, I want to share what I wrote:

The reading was Luke 6:27-37 and the key verse was verse 37: Do not judge
and you will not be judged. Do not condemn and you will not be condemned.

Nineteen ninety five has been designated as the International Year of Tolerance. Amara Essy, president of the General Assembly of the United Nations, says that intolerance leads to isolation of individuals, violations of human rights, and ultimately poses a threat to international peace and security. Intolerance is unacceptable.

Birmingham author Lynn Duvall in her book Respecting Our Differences, gives several reasons to become more tolerant. 1) The more one learns about others, the less one has to fear. We can learn about other people, and respect them, even though we may not agree with them. 2) Tolerant people are more self-confident and comfortable in all situations. If we are to effectively share our lives and faith with other people we must be able to relate to them in relaxed ways that do not threaten or in which we do not feel threatened. 3) Tolerance makes life more interesting. Without diversity the human race would be “bo-ring.”

Jesus showed tolerance in his ministry and He shows tolerance with each of us today. He did not limit his teachings to those of one faith, even though He lived in a world of religious intolerance; or only to those of His gender, although He lived in a sexist world; or to those who lived a good life, even thought it was unpopular to associate with sinners. Jesus said to love your enemies, to be merciful, to be non-judgmental and to be forgiving.

My prayer is from a hymn by Sy Miller and Jill Jackson.

Let their be peace on earth, and let it begin with me;
Let there be peace on earth, the peace that was meant to be.
With God, our Creator, children all are we.
Let us walk with each other, in perfect harmony.

From 1995 to 2007, and during this season of Lent, this message still holds true. Leaders of the Anglican (and Episcopal) Church, as well as leaders of our nation, need to develop tolerance and understanding. Peace.