US Constitution: Article ONE

Article ONE:

(Section ONE):

"All legislative Powers herein granted shall be vested in a Congress of the United States, which shall consist of a Senate and House of Representatives."

(Section TWO):

" The House of Representatives shall be composed of Members chosen every second Year by the People of the several States, and the Electors in each State shall have the Qualifications requisite for Electors of the most numerous Branch of the State Legislature.

   No Person shall be a Representative who shall not have attained to the Age of twenty five Years and been seven Years a citizen of the United States, and who shall not, when elected, be an Inhabitant of that State in which he shall be chosen.

   [Representatives and direct Taxes shall be apportioned among the several States which may be included within this Union, according to their respective Numbers, which shall be determined by adding to the whole Number of free Persons including those bound to Service for a Term of Years, and excluding Indians not taxed, three fifths of all other Persons].*
*changed by section 2 of the Fourteenth Ammendment


The actual Enumeration shall be made within three Years after the first Meeting of the Congress of the United States, and with in every subsequent Term of ten Years, in such Manner as they shall by Law direct. The number of Representatives shall not exceed one for every thirty thousand, but each state shall have at Least one Representative; and until such enumeration shall be made, the State of New Hampshire shall be entitled to choose three, Massachusetts eight, Rhode Island and Providence Plantations one, Connecticut five, New York six, New Jersey four, Pennsylvania eight, Delaware one, Maryland six, Virginia ten, North Carolina five, South Carolina five and Georgia three.

   When vacancies happen in the Representation from any State, the Executive Authority thereof shall issue Writs of Election to fill such Vacancies.

   The House of Representatives shall choose their Speaker and other Officers; and shall have the sole Power of Impeachment."

Article One has ten sections in it in total....so stay tuned to this blog for future postings to read more... or go find the USBN number and read it through on your own schedule instead of mine. the purpose of this particular subject is education and opportunity. I have never had much interest in reading the full version outside of a history class as is common with most people who do NOT fall into the categories of "History buff" or "Political Science enthusiast"....
However, there is a need for each of us to KNOW our history, our rights, and what has been documented. So I am writing it here for myself and anyone else who cares to read this blog.

Enjoy and have a wonderful day.

http://www.tor.com/2012/08/10/can-we-talk-about-why-we-really-love-princess-leia/

Princess Leia: Why we really like her!

by Emily Asher-Perrin

This blog post was originally posted and written by Emily Asher-Perrin. I think it hits home and makes a great point so I wanted to share it here. I found her post on Tor.com (here).

When citing a slew of strong and/or important female characters in genre (or anywhere in pop culture), Princess Leia usually makes the list. It seems almost lazy, the easiest road to legitimacy because people love Star Wars, and Leia’s not perfect but without her you would’ve probably never gotten Korra or Xena or Ripley, and, you know… she’s got that doughnut hair! And carries a blaster! Right?

On the other hand, what we don’t discuss often enough is exactly why Princess Leia belongs on those lists. And she does, make no mistake — we just like to leave it at that. Maybe make a comment about how spunky she is. Or the fact that she happens to see good in everyone’s favorite smuggling rogue.

You know why we have such a hard time defining why Princess Leia is awesome? Because she was first introduced to us by her regal title: a princess.

Of course, being a princess in and of itself isn’t a problem, but George Lucas built the Star Wars trilogy on a lot of mythology. Or, more specifically, mythology as spelled out by Joseph Campbell. Whether or not that’s a good thing is entirely in the viewer’s eyes, but it did necessitate perhaps my least favorite plot trope in all of fiction: rescuing the princess. Princess Leia is cool and defiant in the face of Grand Moff Tarkin and Vader, but her planet gets blown up, and then she’s stuck in a cell being tortured for information.

Thank goodness two strapping young men and their wookiee friend show up to bust her out.

That doesn’t stop Leia from doling out one-liners faster than Han Solo can offer smart retorts, or make her any less tough in the face of powerful enemies who could simply get rid of her if she became too much of a nuisance. But unfortunately, Leia’s primary function in the first Star Wars film is to be the person who needs saving, so Luke Skywalker can have his first adventure before going to blow up a Death Star. She’s the prize, as it were.

And that can make it easy to ignore what came before and what goes after for our unsinkable Lady Organa. Leia doesn’t introduce herself to Darth Vader as a Princess of Alderaan when they first meet on the Rebel Blockade Runner, she identifies as “a member of the Imperial Senate.” She’s a politician, and an important one at that. At least, that’s all anyone in the Empire can prove at the time.

We learn, of course, that Leia is also one of the key members of the Rebel Alliance, a leading voice at the core of the insurrection. Knowing that the Empire has been in place her entire life, and that Bail Organa was fighting it from the beginning, one can easily infer that Leia’s life has been anything but balls and servants and tiara-wearing. She was raised in a household of politicians who were working to overthrow an imposed dictatorship. I doubt she had classes in curtsying, but she definitely had to be taught how to hold up under interrogation, conduct her affairs in secret, and keep her cover stories in check.

Outside the political arena, Leia still manages to be a wholly impressive figure. While her position in the Star Wars films as practically the only woman is infuriating, George Lucas still created a universe where Leia’s gender was never a reason to question her authority. In fact, Star Wars is arguably similar to how Ronald Moore’s Battlestar Galactica is constructed; there are certain problematic depictions from an audience perspective, but the fictional world that the characters occupy ultimately seems to view gender differently from ours. Notice that before the Battle of Hoth, when Leia’s instructing the pilots on their escape plan, not one of the rebels in the group want to know why they are being given their orders by a woman (who, as far we know, is not a pilot like them). She’s an effective general to them, and is afforded every respect.

Her relationship with Han is startlingly progressive for a character initially woven under a “princess” banner. Leia keeps a level head while they are captured on Cloud City, despite the fact that Han is tortured and there is a chance that she might lose him during carbon freezing. She escapes and lives, preferring to fight another day to get him back. We get to see the inverse at work with Leia; after being the one rescued at the start, she performs a rescue of her own.

And, let’s be real here, her disguise is about one hundred times more convincing than Lando’s. Until she abandons it. Erm.

In fact, it’s Han who’s shown to be short on logic when Leia gets hurt during the Battle of Endor. He’s panicking and calling for Chewie, and Leia’s the one who has to dispatch a few Storm Troopers after being shot in the arm. Aren’t women supposed to be the hysterical ones? Aren’t we supposed to fret over every little thing and absolutely fall to pieces when the men in our lives are wounded? Well, if you’re Princess Leia, you handle these drawbacks with a sardonic rejoinder, shortly before you get the job done. You’re even diplomatic enough to be able to calm down C-3PO, something that must make poor R2 incalculably envious.

Forced to be a sexual object for a crime lord? Choke him to death and get outta dodge. Find out your stealth party was spotted on by the enemy? Hunt them down with their own vehicles. Meet a strange new species that doesn’t speak your language? Share food and make friends. As we’re shown time and time again, there is nothing that this woman cannot do. She makes Luke and Han look practically incompetent if you’re actually keeping a scoreboard — Luke only has one or two solid goals that he feels obligated to follow up on, and Han spends half his time in the trilogy jamming to The Clash’s “Should I Stay or Should I Go.” You need Leia to keep it all together.

Which would be why, in the Star Wars Extended Universe novels, Leia’s eventual title is New Republic Chief of State. That’s right, she marries Han, has a few kids, then goes off to run the whole damn galaxy. Between her brilliance and Luke rebuilding the Jedi Order, it looks like Anakin Skywalker did manage to bring balance to the Force and everything else. He just didn’t do it himself.

Leia’s solidity is one of the primary reasons why Amidala doesn’t hold up in the prequels. Though there are hints that they share a similar nature, from their aptitude for politics to their willingness to get their hands dirty when the fight is on, Padme only ever comes off as a faded version of her daughter. Like Lucas took Leia, scrubbed her squeaky clean, and left her too long in the sunlight. All the vibrancy is bleached out, that key spark is missing, and the prequels are poorer for it.

So it’s not about that fantastic hair or the fact that she can fire a blaster. It’s not about how spunky she is or her lack of concern at being covered in Imperial garbage. It’s not even about how bright she was to hand over the Death Star plans to a cute little droid before things got out of hand. It’s about creative thinking, keeping it together when it counts, and outclassing every pretentious pencil pusher the Empire can throw her way.

It’s about being a leader. The leader. And while the honorary mentions and footnotes are nice, it’s far less than Princess Leia deserves.

Find more of Emily Asher-Perrin on Twitter--HERE.

Our Constitution: We the People

Have you ever read the constitution? It might surprise you that most people haven't. And I would guess that most who have read it for a class of some sort.  

Everyone knows the words: "We the People".... here's the rest of that story.

"We the People of the United States, in Order to form a more perfect Union, establish Justice, insure domestic Tranquility, provide for the common defence, promote the general Welfare, and secure the Blessings of Liberty to ourselves and our Posterity, do ordain and establish this Constitution of the United States of America." 
(Constitution of United States of America. B&N book ISBN: 0760779422)

To secure the blessings of liberty means "to secure freedom." The "blessings" are to have the pursuit of happiness, freedom, or etc. Some confuse this with Domestic Tranquility. Domestic tranquility is when the government has the power to prevent unlawful deed which cause harm to the self and to the society from occurring. An example would be putting down a riot. (http://legal.answers.wikia.com/wiki/What_does_secure_the_blessings_of_liberty_mean)

Liberty is defined as: 1.) the state or condition of people who are able to act and speak freely;  2.) the power to do or choose what you want to.  3.) a political right. (http://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/liberty)

Life's Lessons 101.1

I want to share a story that no one seems to share any more but seemingly probably should.

The little red hen has a story with a strong lesson needed in life...no matter what your religion, race, country of origin...it is still something each of us should have learned as a child. I can't remember reading this particular story to my own children though I have instilled its values (or tried to) in them.

I look around and realize... "I can't remember the last time I heard someone talk about this story or folk tale" (as some would label it).

It takes place in a barnyard with the little red hen planting seeds for wheat asking for help from the other animals. She asks for help in planting. She asks for help in harvesting. She asks for help in grinding....and in each stage it takes to make her end creation of fresh baked bread. At each turn she is given excuses and reasons for no assistance given at each request. She works hard. She labors day in and day out. She offers opportunity after opportunity to each of the other "friends and neighbors" receiving a "no, not I" for each offer...until the end.

When all the work is done...when each turn of labor and endurance is over and the joys and fruits of that labor are ready to be shared---THAT is when EVERYONE else is finally on-board and available.

Once the fresh baked bread is ready to eat, each friend and neighbor is ready to help enjoy the work she endured.

Because no one was available through the work stages of planting, harvesting, milling/grinding, & baking) she denies anyone the chance to share in the eating of her fresh baked bread letting them know that though she offered and they were willing to eat the bread--no one was willing to help in its preparation so no one should have the enjoyment of her hard work either.




The Little Red Hen offers a moralistic tale of the importance of hard work and the shame as well as consequences of laziness.


Today, we often make excuses for not being available for the work but expecting something in return.
I am in no way implying this applies to everyone...but it does apply to today's expectations put out there by society. The lessons I learned as a child through books, comics, television (especially saturday morning cartoons) are just not out there any more.
I think I will end this rant here as I have made my point and could probably go on for another few pages worth of type....
Have a great weekend...










When someone tries to shame others into the truth of the matter, more excuses are made for them leading to the self important, dependent, and arrogance of today's "Me Generation".




Todays television shows offer no moral lessons to apply to life. They are truly ONLY for entertainment value which is sad when you look at how much time is spent on shows and movies.

Oklahoma did it Anyway

The following is going around facebook. I had to stop and see if this was true or not, so I searched the internet and found it posted on several blogs and different places (websites) so then I went to www.snopes.com and according to that website, it is TRUE. 

so.... here is one more blog to share this legislative info for Oklahomans and anyone else in cyberspace.

"Think Arizona almost did something horrible? Well "Oklahoma is doing it anyway,"

From Glenn Stanfield:

Oklahoma is the only state that Obama did not win even one county in the last election... While everyone is focusing on Arizona ’s new law, look what Oklahoma has been doing!!!!

An update from Oklahoma :

Oklahoma law passed, 37 to 9 an amendment to place the Ten Commandments on the front entrance to the state capitol. The feds in D.C., along with the ACLU, said it would be a mistake. Hey this is a conservative state, based on Christian values...! HB 1330

Guess what.......... Oklahoma did it anyway.

Oklahoma recently passed a law in the state to incarcerate all illegal immigrants, and ship them back to where they came from unless they want to get a green card and become an American citizen. They all scattered. HB 1804. This was against the advice of the Federal Government, and the ACLU, they said it would be a mistake.

Guess what.......... Oklahoma did it anyway.

Recently we passed a law to include DNA samples from any and all illegal's to the Oklahoma database, for criminal investigative purposes. Pelosi said it was unconstitutional SB 1102

Guess what......... Oklahoma did it anyway.

Several weeks ago, we passed a law, declaring Oklahoma as a Sovereign state, not under the Federal Government directives. Joining Texas , Montana and Utah as the only states to do so.

More states are likely to follow: Louisiana, Alabama, Georgia, Carolina's, Tennessee, Kentucky, Missouri, Arkansas, West Virginia, Mississippi and Florida. Save your confederate money, it appears the South is about to rise up once again. HJR 1003

The federal Government has made bold steps to take away our guns. Oklahoma, a week ago, passed a law confirming people in this state have the right to bear arms and transport them in their vehicles. I'm sure that was a setback for the criminals The Liberals didn't like it -- But....

Guess what........... Oklahoma did it anyway.

Just this month, the state has voted and passed a law that ALL drivers’ license exams will be printed in English, and only English, and no other language. They have been called racist for doing this, but the fact is that ALL of the road signs are in English only. If you want to drive in Oklahoma , you must read and write English. Really simple.

By the way, the Liberals don't like any of this either

Guess what...who cares... Oklahoma is doing it anyway.

If you like it, pass it on, if you don't then delete it...Thanks Guess what : they people I'm sending this to , will send it on. Well, at least the ones who love and believe in freedom will.

- - -

And I did."

Other blogs listed in my search for substantiation:

Marmel.com posted it and dated it 11 months ago...Feb 2014!

Check out OKC Talk! March 2014

Forwards from Grandma: August 2014

and now in January 2015...it's going around on facebook so I thought I would post it here.

Enjoy!

Have a great day! :)

Anywhere Workout-Beginners-Personal Opinion

Post by BuzzFeed Video.

 the anywhere workout...

First of all--let me say that I saw this video on facebook.com. I like the video but I have two major complaints (you might call them) with the video. 

Complaint number one is the language. I think it would have been totally professional and better received without the language and though I appreciate the BLEEPs over the foul language, I wish they would have left them out. I suppose that means I only fit half of the marketer's target audience. :)

Complaint number two is that the video addresses beginners but gives an intermediate workout. No I am NOT a trainer, a doctor/physician, or any other licensed professional--so please, read this blog for what it is--an opinion of someone who likes and is involved in some areas of fitness and heath! This blog is NOT meant to be life or medical advise. It is just an opinion posted online for whomever to read stating what I think of a video someone else posted on facebook. If you need professional advice, feel free to ask a doctor, physician or other medical personnel, or a personal trainer.....which again, I am NOT.....

....back to the point....

Why do I say this is an intermediate workout? In all the exercise classes (yoga, pilates, step, pump, boot camp, etc) I have attended over the years, beginners can seldom do a full on plank as shown in this video. I could not do it when I started out and even now, my wrists occasionally are too weak to maintain a full plank for too long. The video gives you modifications to the workout like the plank-tap but that is to make it more difficult which is good....but again, the video begins by addressing beginners and making something that is already hard even more difficult is not a way to get someone to stay with it in most cases. (There are those who like a challenge and this would work perfect for those people.)

Planks are also hard on the wrists....if you have weak wrists then the full plank will be difficult and plank-taps even more so again. SO....IF you need an easier modification for this particular part of the exercise, go down on your elbows instead of your wrists... do a plank from there. IF this is still too hard and you need a more basic level at which to begin then start the plank on your knees instead of your toes. It all still works the core and you can build up from there. This is a modification most instructors give you in a pilates/yoga class at most gyms. 

The Reverse lunge....well if this is too hard, start with a regular lunge and work your way up. The spider lunge--I am not flexible enough to do this as shown in the video...the girl here in the video is fit, trim, flexible and obviously NOT a beginner. She is the perfect model to show form and to demonstrate what the workout is suppose to look like. However, in my opinion if most people compare (and we do) themselves to her and how she does it, then we will be disappointed and get discouraged. Be careful, keep your balance and take it slow. Work your way up and be patient. The jumping lunge...hard on the knees and I would twist an ankle or a knee trying to do this. Know your limits.

Exercise is meant to get you fit; to make you a healthy person. Healthy means uninjured. know your body, know your limits. Work hard and move up slowly in levels of fitness. We all have to start somewhere and we usually start at different points (depending on the exercise)... Go find your self...the workout you love (or love to hate) and find a better more healthier you! :)

PLEASE NOTE: I am a photographer with a love for fitness. Yes I find it hard to get to the gym on a regular basis. NO, I am NOT a licensed trainer, therapist or medical doctor. This blog is my opinion and experience--NOT medical advise or training. Please DO check with a trainer and/or medical doctor for any professional advise on the matter.