Welcome to Michael's Article Collection

Why Does Anyone Listen to Politicians?

Anyone who has read any of my articles knows that I write about many different topics. As much as I was trying to avoid it I am now going to write about one thing that really bothers me, politics in America. I heard Hillary Clinton’s speech the other day where she claims that the Bush Administration would go down as one of the worst to ever run this country.This is an example of what I do not. . .

The Right To Die Should Be A Personal Matter

I believe that the right to die should, in most cases, be a personal matter and not a political matter (I am talking for adults, not for children. Children, and I include teenagers in this, have not lived long enough and do not have enough life experience to decide their own fates. Some of them think the world is at an end if they get a bad grade or a pimple.). While I am a Republican (I just c. . .

I Saw a Dead Child Today

Today as I was driving, I saw a dead child lying next to a road in Odawara, Japan. It was on the local news. I had never seen a dead body before.I'm sure that in Iraq many people have seen one, but I never had until today. He was a boy about five years old. He was in the typical cute clothes that kids of that age wear. I thought of my six-year-old son. I imagine the dead child had been hit by a. . .

Ur-bin Legend

I may be repulsed at the deeds orchestrated by Osama bin Laden ...But I'm even more repulsed at the ineptitude displayed in the attempts to stop him and his cause.I mean, the guy's a murderous criminal. He's an anti-Muslim, as any credible scholar of the Koran would attest. He's been disowned by his family and disavowed by the country of his birth.So, why is it so hard to dislodge him as a hero. . .

Corporate Crime

Corporate crime? I'm not sure that there is such a thing. If we want to reduce the crimes that are given that lable, we need to quit handing out large punitive fines to corporations. The idea isn't as radical as it sounds.First of all, when I say that there isn't such a thing as corporate crime, I simply mean that it is always individual people who commit crimes. With that in mind, you can imag. . .

Because Of Freedom And Democracy, The West Can Never Win ...

Since America's formation in 1776, "The Bill of Rights" is cherished in the heart of every American. The article deals with the doctrine of religious freedom and diversity and expresses the following:"Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion or prohibiting the free exercise thereof...." This statement is considered as a commandment and makes it extremely difficult for . . .

The Macro and Micro Worlds of Thea Alexander

Thea Alexander wrote a book called 2150 AD, originally published in 1976. She describes a fascinating world that includes two parts consisting of the Macro World and the Micro World.In the Macro world there was harmony, cooperation, and everyone respected everyone else and did their best to be good and kind to each other. In contrast, the micro world was smaller and isolated from the macro worl. . .

The More Things Change

That's what Canadian Liberal-supporters are saying! The Conservatives won 122 seats, only 33 shy of a majority government, making them the minority government of choice. They also won the popular vote at 36.25%. Some more key points were that Quebec was almost all Bloc Quebecois and Alberta/Saskatchewan almost all Conservative. For more detail check out http://www.cbc.ca/canadavotes/electionnig. . .

A Couch Jockey's Guide To The Illuminati

Still waiting for the New World Order? Do you scan the manipulated news media's headlines daily for hints that CIA or United Nation led stormtroopers are ready to land on your doorstep? Is your shotgun cocked and ready to take aim at Illuminati mercenaries hiding in your bushes bent on hauling off your kids to their white slave sex farms that provide child prostitutes to world leaders? Paranoid. . .

Supreme Court Justices Unethical Behavior?

We have all read about Jack Abramoff and how lobbying is done in Washington. Trips, dinners, campaign funding, and other perks paid for by lobbyists in return for favors the politicians can do for their clients. But our Supreme Court Justices should be beyond reproach. They are not elected, but appointed. They are in that position for life or until they decide to retire. They also should go out. . .

Colors of the American Flag

I would imagine that even before the ink on the Declaration of Independence had dried, the sentences: "Are we gonna have a flag? We gotta have a flag! Britain has a flag!" were echoed by members of the Continental Congress. But then, a flag is important. It is a symbol representing a group and their beliefs -- a means of identification.It has long been reported that in May of 1776, Betsy Ross. . .

Condi vs Hillary. Get Ready For A Great Political Battle!...

History is being made on our watch. Maybe. No woman has even come close to being nominated to run for President of the United States by a major party. Geraldine Ferraro ran as VP for the Democrats but she and Mondale lost to Reagan / Bush in a landslide (525-13)The fact that two powerful accomplished women would be in line to compete for the top position in the most powerful country in the worl. . .

Environment- Maintaining the Delicate Balance!

What exactly do we mean when we speak of the "environment"?It is more complecxt than saying it is only our surrounding.The environment is a delicate equilibrium between everyingredient in our surroundings called the ecosystem. Ourecosystem contains the interaction between organisms andnature.Man has been chiefly responsible for disturbing thisdelicate equilibrium by exploiting the natural reso. . .

Is This India’s Finest Hour?

Travelling around India this month, in blinding contrast to the evident levels of stark poverty that can be seen in a great number of its citizens, something in the air tells one that India is pulsing with energy for change. For throughout the next half a century India will be seen to emerge as one of the worlds most successful economies and will rightfully seat itself as a new world power. The. . .

You Pay for Customer Service

The United States has gravitated from an industrial economy, where we produced most of our own goods, to a service economy, where we no longer produce the majority of our own goods. I have been out of college for almost nine years now but always worked throughout college. I have worked since I was fourteen years old. Ever since I can remember, every company has always stressed customer servic. . .

Will Yitzhak Rabin's "Bloody Shirt" Defeat Shimon Peres A...

Is history about to repeat itself? Will the upcoming Israeli elections manage to escape from the clutches of Shimon Peres' again? Can lightning strike twice? Remember, Shimon Peres incredibly lost the race to become the leader of the Labor Party to Amir Peretz due, in large part, to growing concerns and legitimate questions about his involvement in the assassination of Yitzhak Rabin and the su. . .

Mistreatment And Misgovernment Of The Poor In Developed C...

Misgoverning the poor.The poor in developed countries like the USA and UK, honest and dishonest alike, are handled only by the non-street-wise middle class who run government departments and other bodies - ensuring that the poor are generally badly mistreated and misgoverned.Of course the poor in developed countries are a minority so that democratic political parties may easily see their votes . . .

Bush's Bold Peace Initiative...Israel After Sharon

The colossus of Israel’s Center-Right is no more. Sharon’s cerebral hemorrhage, induced coma, and declared departure from Israel’s political life have created a grave and vacuous ability for Israel to carry on viable negotiations with either the Palestinians or other belligerents. This assessment is more an international impression and less an Israeli one; however, it is the international com. . .

The Canadian Political System

The Canadian political system as it is known today was first drafted by the "Fathers of Confederation" at the Quebec conference of 1864. This then became law when the constitution act was passed in 1867. This act gave the formal executive authority to Queen Victoria (Queen of Great Britain) which made Canada a sovereign democracy. The Canadian political system is therefore loosely based on the . . .

Intelligence Summit Misses the Mark: The German-Jesuit Th...

Greetings to one and all, in the name and memory of Herbert W. Armstrong who visited and addressed many leaders of the nations you represent here today. Mr. Armstrong, ambassador for world peace without political portfolio, was a man sent by the Great Creator God (who made all men and determined the boundaries and languages of each nation) to deliver a bittersweet message. I shall also deliver . . .

Military Widows Organization Valentine’s Day Fundraiser

Gold Star Wives of America, Inc. (GSW) is a national nonprofit organization of military widows (and widowers) that provides support, information on benefits and resources, and works to increase federal benefits for surviving spouses and children. GSW is headquartered in Birmingham, Alabama, in the office of Prime Management which provides services to nonprofit organizations. GSW began in 1945 . . .

Local Elected Officials - The End Of An Era

We all know of at least one local elected official, who seems to have been around forever. At some point in time that person finally decides to retire. Their name will not be on the ballot.One of those local icons was retiring this year from my County Board.This particular gentleman gave me one of my all time favorite “keepsake” remarks. A “keepsake” remark is one of those statements that you n. . .

National Animal Identification System is a Bad Idea

I am resolved to the fact that government legislation will continue to erode away at our freedoms. Government likes to paint itself as the lamb, but usually is the wolf. It’s the rules of necessity to protect us from certain harm. Take for instance the latest hot topic in farming, NAIS, National Animal Identification System.The NAIS is a government created animal identification and tracking sys. . .

How to Send Care Packages to Troops Overseas

Care packages for troops on duty overseas are not only needed, but are still the best way to 'thank you'. While most basic needs of troops are already provided for, there are always certain items that are in short supply. For example, prepaid phone cards are the best and most useful things to send troops overseas, according to the Army & Air Force Exchange Service, whose phone campaign is calle. . .

Conflict Management – Parisian Style (part 2)

Continued…Toxic Rhetoric Leads to Poisoned Communication ClimateA leader’s inability to choose an appropriate communication strategy in a conflict situation can have disastrous consequences, as witnessed by the French riots.Instead of using language that could calm heated attitudes and discourage further violence, Nicolas Sarcozy chose to declare war on the young rioters and challenged them ane. . .

Affirmative Action, Is It Good Or Bad?

This article does not discuss the legalities of affirmative action, I leave that to the courts. This article is solely about the philosophy of affirmative action. According to Wikipedia, affirmative action "is a policy or a program promoting the representation in various systems of people of a group who have traditionally been discriminated against, with the aim of creating a more egalitarian s. . .

Is Harry Belafonte A Naive Mouthpiece For The Far Left?

In my opinion, Harry Belafonte, is a mouthpiece for the far left, however, he is not naive. I think the he was a very talented entertainer who misses the limelight and is just trying to garner publicity and notice. I don't think he cares what he says as long as people pay attention to him. He reminds me of Howard Dean and other has beens who will do or say anything (true or not) in order to kee. . .